Chef Marco “Gabby” Pantano Memorial Scholarship

Well, first, I am becoming a senior this year in high school, and I am 18 years old. I have been in my school’s culinary program at Palm Beach Gardens High School for almost four years. When I first started, I told myself that I wanted to pursue my dreams and show everyone that I am more than what they think I am. At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a chef or do anything with culinary. I lost track of what I wanted and became more focused on other people and work instead of what had been in my heart for so long. Then, during my junior year, my teacher, Chef Brian, told my class about an upcoming competition and asked if anyone wanted to participate. Some students wanted to work in groups, and at first, I stayed quiet. But then I thought to myself, Why not try? What do I have to lose? So, I asked my chef if I could compete by myself. At first, he seemed surprised, but I started preparing. When the competition day came and I arrived, I realized I was the only individual competitor among seven groups. I was terrified. But once I stepped into that competition, I stayed focused. I did what I had been taught and followed my heart. That’s when I realized how much I truly enjoyed cooking and baking. I had always enjoyed it before, but this competition showed me that I had it in me all along. At the end of the competition, I won first place. My classmates were shocked because many people didn’t believe in me or think I could be creative. After that, I continued competing and even became the Culinary President at my school. Culinary is something I truly want to pursue. My experiences have shown me that, and so have the people around me, especially my grandmother. She struggled to become a cook, but she never gave up, and she inspires me every day. I fell in love with cooking and baking. I’ve been looking into schools and trying to figure out where I want to go, but no one tells you how hard it is to see your future and realize that it’s all in your hands. To be honest, I’m scared. But I also feel like it’s okay to be scared. I’m ready to explore and learn. My family and I have faced financial difficulties for most of my life. Last school year, we lost our house and went through so much more. Because of that, culinary became a way for me to do something I love and escape everything happening around me. Money may be difficult, but I will never give up. I will keep trying and pushing myself forward because one day I want to own my own restaurant where everyone is welcome. That is one of my biggest goals. I also want to attend culinary school, earn my degree, learn new things, travel, and meet new people. I want to continue growing into the chef I know I can become and share my food with others for them to enjoy. More than anything, I want to show love to the world through my cooking because I care so much. Chef Marco sounds like an amazing person. Spending 35 years doing something he loves is truly inspiring. It reminds me to appreciate what I have because this is only the beginning of my journey. I can’t wait to share my love for food and continue learning to love myself as well.

At a young age, food has been deeply connected to love, memory, and purpose in my life. I remember cooking scrambled eggs with my father for the first time when I was very young. Not long after that moment, he passed away from a heart attack during a mission trip in Cambodia. Although my time with him was short, that memory in the kitchen stayed with me. It became a reminder that food is more than nourishment—it is connection and comfort. As someone who is half Cambodian and half American, the kitchen became the place where I could most fully experience my culture. Even when I was not in Cambodia or speaking the language, I could reconnect with my heritage through flavors, techniques, and traditions. Cooking allowed me to embrace both sides of my identity and transform them into something creative and meaningful. Over time, I realized that food holds a kind of quiet power. It can communicate care without words, bring people together across cultures, and create a sense of home for those who need it most. My professional culinary journey began at Project 658 Inc., where I worked as a line cook, catering server, and event assistant. In this fast-paced environment, I prepared a wide range of dishes and plated large volumes of food for events. I also trained new team members and assisted with event production. These experiences strengthened my leadership skills, adaptability, and ability to remain focused under pressure. More importantly, they showed me how impactful food can be. I saw guests light up over a thoughtfully prepared meal, and I understood that I wanted to dedicate my life to creating those moments for others. Currently, I am pursuing an Associate degree in Culinary Arts while also working toward a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Japanese. This combination reflects both my ambition and my long-term vision. I am not only committed to mastering culinary techniques, but also to understanding the global food industry and cross-cultural communication. My drive pushes me to go beyond the kitchen and prepare myself to one day operate my own internationally inspired bakery, café, and restaurant. I envision a space that blends Cambodian, Asian, and global influences—where breads, pastries, and savory dishes honor tradition while introducing guests to new flavors. I want it to be more than a business; I want it to be a welcoming environment where people from all backgrounds feel at home. The legacy of chefs like Marco “Gabby” Pantano, who dedicated over thirty-five years to sharing his passion for food, deeply inspires me. His life represents what I aspire to become: a chef who not only builds a career, but also builds community through culinary excellence. Like him, I want my work to reflect dedication, generosity, and love for the craft. I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because of my ambition, drive, and unwavering passion for the culinary arts. I have already committed myself fully to this path through education, hands-on experience, and long-term planning. Despite financial challenges, I continue to pursue every opportunity to grow and refine my skills. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of culinary school, but also affirm that my dedication and goals are worthy of investment. Culinary arts is not simply my chosen career—it is my purpose. Through discipline, creativity, and perseverance, I am determined to honor my father’s memory, celebrate my cultural heritage, and contribute meaningfully to the culinary world. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue striving to become a chef who uplifts others, just as Chef Marco Pantano did throughout his life.