Chef Trainee Spotlight: JP!
JP has a deep passion for Filipino food, rooted in childhood memories of cooking alongside his grandmother. His connection to food grew stronger 6 years ago when his father became disabled, and he stepped into a larger role at home - using cooking as a way to support his family and show care.
Sprouts Chef Training placed JP at
@ofenasf , where he quickly impressed the team with his responsibility and willingness to take initiative. Starting with prep tasks like cooling stocks, making butters, and toasting bread, then advancing to the appetizer and cold stations, where he prepared salads, carpaccio, and desserts such as tiramisu, cannoli, and sorbet.
Working closely with Chef Paul, Chef Tim, and Audrey, JP built strong connections in the kitchen and gained a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed in a high-volume restaurant. With their guidance, he grew in confidence and proved to himself that he could meet the demands of the environment. This experience also reinforced JP’s interest in pursuing a culinary career!
Looking ahead, JP hopes to base his senior project on cooking by preparing food for a community organization. He also dreams of attending the same college as Chef Paul and eventually owning his own restaurant, inspired by his grandmother who once owned a restaurant in the Philippines.
Youth Sponsor |
@philspiegel
Chef Mentor |
@execcheftimh
Host Restaurant |
@ofenasf
Photographer |
@lemonad_media
#mentorship #culinarytraining #ofena #sfbayarea
