2018 has been an interesting year for me. I’ve been under the radar for the past 7ish months (you can tell by me not posting at all). That’s because  ever since I graduated in June, I was so busy at work, learning as much as I can from my manager and supervisor to become a stronger cook, leader, and person. So since 2018 has ended, I decided to share with you what I learned; and trust me, I learned it the hard way.

I’ve been in culinary school for 3.5 years and I never receive an award for anything because I feel like I’m not good enough, so I get disappointed and try harder and harder. What I don’t realized until like a few months ago, is that I touched and inspire so many people to get into healthy cooking.  Ever since I started working full time in June, I met customers, clients, friends, friends of other friends asking me for not just advice in cooking but general advice for getting over a roadblock in their lives (such as relationship, career, emotions). I don’t need anyone to give me a medal, money or anything for what I do.  I have made a positive change in their lives. And that it is much more rewarding than a medal, or some diploma. Because there were some times that I actually achieve something big, and most of the time the response is either “That’s not good enough” or “You didn’t deserve it”. I will tell you a very personal story to help you understand more.

There’s a man I helped with at my job. He’s a real estate agent in his late 50s and he’s diagnose with type 2 diabetes. He’s a very cheerful man. I respect him a lot from all his work done in the housing industry. Unfortunately, he forgot to take care of himself. So I helped him by giving him advice on what and what not to eat when you’re diabetic, gave him some of recipes I learned back at culinary school, and provide him the healthiest smoothie that I can think of. He was overwhelmed with all the care and effort for which I helped him with. There was one time when he asked me,”Is there anything I can do for you?” I replied “You don’t need to give me anything. The best reward for me is you coming back every week so I can serve you again and again. That and win lotto 649 for me.”

I may not have a talent of a high class, well-trained cook, but I have the heart and hospitality to serve people of what I love to do. And that is so much more satisfying than any medal. HANDS DOWN!!