ServSafe® is a food safety training and certification program that is nationally recognized and accredited. To date, more than three million ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certifications have been awarded -- and I am one of them. After graduation, I continued my cooking interest by joining Wal-Mart. For the past two years, I have been working in the bakery. I enjoy trying out new ways of decorating, discussing the customers' needs and hearing their "oohs" and "aahs" when seeing my work. At home, I continue to try out new creations. Of course, I'm in demand for family and friends' parties.

I may never have the opportunity to compete on a reality show, but I look forward to going on to school and getting my degree from the (NAME of SCHOOL) culinary institute. This...

Increasingly, there are more and more opportunities for chefs not only here in the United States, but also in restaurants around the world, on the ocean in cruises, in hotels and motels, in other places of entertainment, in healthcare facilities and schools. I know there will always be a need for talented cooks -- people always have to eat and they always want to eat well. I look forward to filling these needs.
Personally, the best thing about cooking (besides pleasing others with my food), is the sense of calm and well being this activity has always given me. I'm very serious about my work, but I also gain great pleasure and fun from cooking up a storm.