Notes from a Young Black Chef

Onwuachi picked up a book on catering, and the author—Bruce Mattel—became his hero. He learned that Mattel was a professor at the Culinary Institute of America, and Onwuachi knew that was where he needed to be. Although his catering company was doing well, Onwuachi keenly recognized his own lack of knowledge: “I could sear and braise and dice and cube but didn’t know why I was doing what I was doing” (151). Founded as a way for World War II veterans to find a trade and steady work, the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) enjoyed a reputation for training successful chefs. Onwuachi visited and was enthralled by the grand campus and bustling students, all wearing uniforms and carrying heavy books. Onwuachi told the admissions officer about his respect for Bruce Mattel. The admissions officer escorted Onwuachi down the hall to meet his hero. the two men talked for half an hour, and Mattel encouraged Onwuachi to apply.

The only factor left to consider was money. Onwuachi had to find a way to pay the $33,000 annual tuition. He did not want to ask his mother for help. He knew that any dollar she gave her son was a dollar that she needed.