Christian joined the Sprouts Chef Training program with a long-held passion for cooking, inspired by memories of his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He started cooking to honor his grandmother's memory and found that it brought his family closer together. Christian enjoys getting lost in the craft, using it as an outlet to regulate his emotions and de-stress. It’s not just a hobby for him—it’s a way to channel his energy and creativity, allowing him to focus and grow. He was able to focus this creativity at Society Cafe with chef Nicholas McCann.

Christian has had a fulfilling experience at Sprouts, where he's honed his knife skills and learned the importance of precision in the kitchen. As his cutting skills improved he was also  able to take on new challenges such as making dough, shaping foods, butchering a chicken and making entire meals from scratch. Some of his proudest moments include making General Tso’s chicken, pizza for the family meal, and a raspberry toaster strudel, all of which were well-received by his peers. He has also enjoyed trips to the local farmers market with Chef Nick and the other Sprouts intern Naima, where he tried different cheeses and fresh produce, igniting his appreciation for quality ingredients. He was particularly fond of the tomatoes that were available and remarked that regular store tomatoes cannot compare anymore.

‍

Looking ahead, Christian is interested in learning more about pastries and is considering a future in the culinary world. After graduating from the program, he plans to attend Morris Brown College, where he is undecided on his major but is leaning towards business or computer science. The program has given him a sense of responsibility, and he’s grateful for the skills and confidence it has helped him build. For Christian, cooking is more than just a profession—it’s a path forward, a way to connect with his culture, and a meaningful way to express himself.