Do you know what every chef needs? Food, of course. However, if someone goes out to eat, you will find foods not made locally. There is no fresh, easily available, locally made food for people to enjoy. Ever since I was a small child, I knew that I was different both medically and mentally. I did not have access to good, healthy food, and I suffer the consequences of it today. I have PCOS. It is a disease that affects my hormones, and how my body processes nutrients in different foods. This makes it hard for me and anyone who struggles with the same disease to lose weight, and easy to gain weight. As I tried to lose weight, even at a young age, I found myself struggling. I did not know why I was not losing weight and why I felt so terrible all the time. Then, I looked at the food I was eating. Fast food. It was cheaper than home-cooked meals, easily accessible, and it lasted a longer time. I know now that my parents were trying to do their best, and trying to feed 3 kids on a limited budget. Even with assistance, a family meal could last a week if we stretched it out enough. A home-cooked meal could not do that, it could not last as long, and it took time to make. We never had the time or the money to eat healthy. As I started to grow up, I knew I could not be the only one who struggled with this. Now, as College is in my hands, my wish is to open a store that prioritizes whole foods. Everything we have on the shelves and that is offered is grown on-site without pesticides and herbicides. Through this dream, I would be able to also give tours to customers who would like to see where their food is grown. My dream is to be able to cook food for people who have disorders and allergies and make their meals friendly for their dietary needs while affordable. I want to show people that healthy foods can be less expensive than they are now. I want to give people the option to eat healthy on a budget. Stark State College has allowed me to start my culinary career, and I am excited to start making my dreams that once seemed so far away happen.

Do you know what every chef needs? Food, of course. However, if someone goes out to eat, you will find foods not made locally. There is no fresh, easily available, locally made food for people to enjoy. Ever since I was a small child, I knew that I was different both medically and mentally. I did not have access to good, healthy food, and I suffer the consequences of it today. I have PCOS. It is a disease that affects my hormones, and how my body processes nutrients in different foods. This makes it hard for me and anyone who struggles with the same disease to lose weight, and easy to gain weight. As I tried to lose weight, even at a young age, I found myself struggling. I did not know why I was not losing weight and why I felt so terrible all the time. Then, I looked at the food I was eating. Fast food. It was cheaper than home-cooked meals, easily accessible, and it lasted a longer time. I know now that my parents were trying to do their best, and trying to feed 3 kids on a limited budget. Even with assistance, a family meal could last a week if we stretched it out enough. A home-cooked meal could not do that, it could not last as long, and it took time to make. We never had the time or the money to eat healthy. As I started to grow up, I knew I could not be the only one who struggled with this. Now, as College is in my hands, my wish is to open a store that prioritizes whole foods. Everything we have on the shelves and that is offered is grown on-site without pesticides and herbicides. Through this dream, I would be able to also give tours to customers who would like to see where their food is grown. My dream is to be able to cook food for people who have disorders and allergies and make their meals friendly for their dietary needs while affordable. I want to show people that healthy foods can be less expensive than they are now. I want to give people the option to eat healthy on a budget. Stark State College has allowed me to start my culinary career, and I am excited to start making my dreams that once seemed so far away happen.