Focus on This Student: Brooklyn Connell, Class of '23 - Pursuing A.A.S. in Culinary Profession
Brooklyn's Culinary Journey: From the Classroom to the Kitchen
Brooklyn spent her early years as a school teacher, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Her real passion lay in the kitchen, where she loved to cook and experiment with new recipes. When the pandemic hit, she decided it was time for a change.
An avid foodie, Brooklyn searched for a job that would pay for her culinary education. That's when she discovered Chipotle Mexican Grill's partnership with Guild Education and Johnson & Wales Online. She was originally hired by Chipotle and enrolled in the online culinary program offered by Johnson & Wales.
Starting Fresh
Brooklyn took to her new studies like a fish to water. With the support of her passionate faculty, she learned the ins and outs of cooking techniques, food pairings, and kitchen safety. Each course was taught by a different teacher, all of whom had years of experience in the culinary industry.
One of her favorite instructors was Scott Smith, who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the culinary arts. Whenever Brooklyn submitted a video of her cooking, Smith would provide her with detailed feedback, teaching her about everything from selecting fresh produce to efficiently using her kitchen tools.
Cooking Online
Online education was a new experience for Brooklyn, but she quickly adapted. Instead of attending scheduled classes, she accessed her classes at her convenience and submitted assignments according to a schedule. While it required discipline, she found it was the perfect fit for her busy lifestyle.
While balancing cooking for her family with completing assignments, Brooklyn discovered that cooking for the family was a great way to reduce food waste. She learned to think creatively about how she could use each ingredient in multiple dishes, such as using chicken bones to make stock.
Challenges Along the Way
Not everything in Brooklyn's journey was smooth sailing. There were technical issues to overcome, such as problems with her computer and editing videos. Sometimes, ingredients for her assignments were hard to find in her small Texas town. But she persevered, using substitutes when necessary and learning valuable lessons about flexibility and adaptation.
A Bright Future
Brooklyn is now eager to start her new culinary career. She's excited to experiment with new dishes and work in a field that she loves. She plans to continue to learn and grow, always striving to create the freshest, most delicious food for her customers.
Brooklyn is grateful to Chipotle for investing in her education and providing her with the opportunity to follow her dreams. She encourages anyone considering a career change to take the plunge and pursue their passions, no matter how daunting the journey may seem. As she puts it, "Life is too short to do what you don't love."
During her online learning journey, Brooklyn found the culinary courses offered by Johnson & Wales Online to be a perfect fit for her personal growth and education-and-self-development, thanks to the support of her passionate faculty and the flexible schedule. Despite facing challenges such as technical issues and ingredient availability, she continued to adapt and learn, emphasizing the importance of persistence in her pursuit of a career in the culinary industry, a choice driven by her love for cooking and fueled by her desire for lifelong learning.
