For Gerson, cooking became a way to make time pass during the Covid-19 lockdown. He started by making pancakes, tacos, and burgers for his family. Gerson then went on to perfect his signature dish, chicken parmesan. Gerson joined the Sprouts Chef Training Program in 2023 with the goal to learn new, fun recipes and also practice stepping outside of his comfort zone. He interned at 3rd Cousin under mentor Chef Greg Lutes.Throughout his internship, Gerson improved his communication skills with other kitchen staff and became comfortable with his coworkers. Specifically, he became more confident in speaking up and asking questions. Gerson learned how to make a variety of pastries, and liked the process of plating them. He also greatly enjoyed learning how to make shortbread. Going forward, Gerson is interested in restaurant management and real estate. His internship gave him insight into the challenges of restaurant management, and he hopes to provide supportive working conditions for future employees. To further supplement his income, he would also like to flip houses, and possibly become a real estate agent. When he is not cooking or watching house-flipping remodels, Gerson enjoys playing soccer. We hope in addition to envisioning his future, Gerson also achieves his goal of perfecting his pupusas.