That workshop was a turning point. I realized how much I truly loved cooking. I met other kids who loved to experiment with different flavors. We shared tips, tasted each other’s dishes, and gave feedback. I started to picture a life where maybe, just maybe, I could become a chef someday. Or own a small café. Or teach other kids the way Ms. Allen taught me.
In my final year of high school, Ms. Allen helped me put together an application for a culinary scholarship. I didn’t think I had much of a chance, but I tried anyway, figuring I had nothing to lose. My mom, who had always been shy and humble, suddenly became my biggest cheerleader. We pressed submit on that application, and then we waited. I remember checking my email every day after school, heart pounding, until one afternoon—I saw it.
