I've been a baker for as long as I can remember, and I always wanted to help my mom in the kitchen when I was a little girl. I am inspired to bake by those around me who love me: when I made the decision to go to culinary school, I was met with a strong support system and excitement. I wasn't originally considering culinary school as even a possibility, but I found that I lacked excitement about my future. With some help from my family, I remembered my love for baking, and realized that the most important thing I could do for myself was pick a career that I loved. I have my parents to thank for helping me to realize that a 4-year University is not the only right path, but the right path is the one that makes you excited to walk it. With all the love and support they have given me, my parents have served as the biggest inspiration for me in my decision to build a future for myself in the culinary world. I love baking because it gives me peace of mind, a creative outlet, and a way to express myself in ways that words cannot. While I am a big fan of a multitude of sweet treats, I find that I have the best memories making Christmas cutout cookies. While these cookies are delicious, that's not the reason why they are my favorite thing to bake. As mentioned before, a lot of my passion for baking is a result of my mother and the time we spend making things with each other. Our Christmas cookies have been a family tradition for as many years as I remember, and it's the memories of me rolling out the dough with my mom, frosting the cookies with my brothers, and laughing as sprinkles got absolutely everywhere that make these cookies my favorite thing to bake. I have so many fond memories of making these cookies with my family, and it's one of the things I look forward to the most during the holiday season. I've learned that one's favorite food to make doesn't mean its that person's favorite thing to eat, but rather, who they made it with and what memories are attached with it. I hope to build a career for myself out of baking, and eventually, have my own bakery. I have always dreamed of being a baker, but it never seemed like a realistic option, but now that it is, I am ready to work as hard as it takes to make it in this industry. Most of all, I hope to achieve a life that is fulfilling and rewarding, and never makes me go back and wish that I had chosen a different path.