Chasing Dreams

I am Jennifer Tillou. A 23 year old aspiring chef from the Midwest. I have been in school for culinary for the past year now. Two weeks ago I finally started my culinary classes. I want to use this blog to write about what I am learning in school and what I go through on a day-to-day to weekly basis. I want to write about work, school, what's on my mind, and share recipes and other food endeavors outside of work and school. I have been in the food service since I was 16. I started out at Subway and worked there for 5 years. I finally decided that I want to be a chef and I started to pursue my dreams.

One day, in September 2010, Josef hired me as an apprentice chef. I had no experience whatsoever but he gave me a shot. Ever since then I have been working my way up. I started my culinary career plating desserts, prepping, and getting food ready for catering events. Nine months later I quit because I butted heads with one of my co-workers. I had been butting heads with people since I was 16 and I knew I could find somewhere where I could just enjoy work and enjoy the people that I work with. I then found a new job. The chef that hired me had also went to the school that I am currently going to. I had no experience on the line but he also gave me a shot. I have been a line cook ever since. I was thinking about it the other day and I've decided that I don't know if I could handle being an executive chef. I wouldn't mind being a sous-chef though. I have three semesters left until I am a chef. I want to try to get into one of the good restaurants around Rockford (which has been my dream for two years now) or to move to Milwaukee and work in a bigger kitchen.

Lately, I can't help but feel lucky. I have been given opportunities that some may have never gotten. I have the best support system I could ever ask for. In May, I decided to shave my head for St. Baldrick's Day. Not ONE person has told me that I look bad with short hair. Not ONE person tried to talk me out of it. I was supported with words of encouragement and monetary donations that went towards kids battling cancer. I view myself as a selfish person but this was one of the most selfless things I have ever done. Being bald isn't that bad.

I have also started a new relationship with someone. Although the world doesn't seem to support it, my friends and family members have been there to support me and my decision. I wasn't sure how my family would feel but they have been awesome. Especially my dad, who I thought would be against it the most. She means a lot to me and I'm really happy with where we are at.

I am currently working two jobs. I busted my ass all summer and successfully worked both jobs without calling in sick. I view this as a great accomplishment. I set a goal for myself to work two jobs all summer and I met my goal. Still broke but that's another rant, entirely.

This is why I wanted to start this blog:

The other night I was called in early to work. No big deal. I come to find out that we have two reservations of 6. One at 6:30 p.m., the other at 7 p.m. In between that time, there is a party of what was 25 that turned into 14. A burger buffet. I would be working with someone who usually washes dishes so I had to tell him what to do. (This was very nerve-racking for me because a month or two ago, I was put in this same position and it was very hard for me to keep my cool. I had a lot on my mind so I got swamped with tickets, food was going out cold, and I was getting killed in the kitchen.) I started to lose my cool. Then I got a text that changed my whole attitude. I recharged and got back into a positive mind-set. I was ready!

Along with our reservations, we started getting busy around 6 p.m. I've been doubting myself a lot lately, especially when it comes to my talents in the kitchen. One of my strengths in the kitchen is the fact that I can keep my cool when shit hits the fan. I put out good looking/tasting food and keep my head. I had a bad couple of weeks a while ago so I thought I fell off. I thought I wasn't cut out to be in the kitchen. Until the other night. We got super busy. Tickets just kept coming in. I was telling the other guy what to do. I didn't freak out. Every food item went out perfectly and without any complaints. I was running around that kitchen. None of my food was over-cooked or under-cooked. The servers told me they had no complaints from customers.
I WAS BACK! 
We close at 9 p.m. and so we were busy from about 6 to 8:15 p.m. We cleaned the kitchen. A couple high-fives and we were good to go!

I love working in the kitchen. I have such a passion for food. I think that people can see it and that's how I get so lucky. I get told very often how good of a person I am. It's hard for me to believe it but I'm starting to see it, as well. I have been holding myself back and now it's my time to shine. I want to do big things in my career and I plan on it. I have the drive and determination as well as an amazing support system. I feel like I can do anything as long as I keep working hard and don't lose my passion. I'm really looking forward to writing this blog and sharing my love of cooking with the world. I hope you're ready.