Introducing Me

My parents can’t cook. My dad likes to think he can cook, but his version of cooking is mostly just reheating. Whenever my mom tries, I tend to avoid the kitchen out of fear. So, when I was applying to high schools (yes, high schools) I had the opportunity to go to a school a town over and participate in a culinary program. Instead of electives, I spent my time in a fully functional kitchen. I absolutely loved learning about cooking; we had a hundred seat restaurant in our own school and it was an amazing experience to get to be working in a restaurant at such a young age. Although I did not pursue in the culinary arts, I still very much enjoy cooking (and not so much baking) and since I don’t do it much anymore since I don’t have access to my own kitchen, I’m excited to pick it up again. Here’s some proof. I was always this stoked.

I took AP Chemistry in my junior year of high school. Now, doing this was not exactly my first choice, but I wasn’t allowed to take AP Environmental Science. In my sophomore year, I had the absolute pleasure of having four different chemistry teachers. Our main teacher got hurt, the second and best one left on maternity leave, the third one thought she was a psychic and got fired, and the fourth one was a man who was just as tired with the whole thing as we were. Needless to say, I did not learn much. I met with an advisor who was positive I’d do well in AP Chem despite my lack of learning (keep in mind I wasn’t in honors chem either, just regular ol’ chem with four teachers). However, over the course of the year, I had my ups and downs, found the topic pretty interesting despite how much I struggled, and came out with a school-recognized award for most improved student. Overall, a good experience, and I think chemistry is pretty cool! Just not enough to pursue it.

I hope that this course will give me the opportunity to learn more about the chemical side of cooking–I remember there was one time during one of the lecture days of culinary that we touched on molecular gastronomy and I found it pretty interesting. Also, since I am Italian and I’ve always wanted to go to Italy (and I’m visiting Rome over Spring break!), I’d love to learn more about Italian culture and Italian food. All around, I hope this course will give me insight into the world of Italian food in a scientific and historical manner.