Lajuan Ambler is a driven and enthusiastic culinary intern with a deep-rooted passion for food. Growing up, he often cooked for large family gatherings and helped out at church events, which sparked his interest in the culinary world. He’s now determined to gain more experience in the kitchen, with the long-term goal of starting his own BBQ business. Inspired by his family, especially his grandmother, who specializes in soul food, Lajuan has always been drawn to cooking as a way to bring people together. He’s excited to learn the technical skills and management strategies needed to run a professional kitchen.

During his time at Chez Tj with Chef Stanley Michaslki, Lajuan has made significant progress in his knife skills, time management, and plating, particularly enjoying the challenge of presenting dishes like scallops. He’s also learning the importance of organization in the kitchen and has found the feedback from his chef mentor invaluable in helping him grow. His favorite part of the internship has been working with Devin, who has taught him the “nitty-gritty” of kitchen operations. Lajuan has also had the chance to try new ingredients, such as caviar, and was particularly impressed by the six-pound lobsters that were brought into the kitchen.

While Lajuan is still learning, he’s already become more comfortable in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. He’s gained confidence in his ability to communicate with colleagues and handle difficult situations, whether it’s stepping away from a tense moment or ensuring he’s completing tasks properly. The experience has not only improved his technical skills but has also strengthened his patience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Outside the kitchen, Lajuan enjoys playing basketball for fun and continues to be inspired by his family’s traditions of cooking and bringing people together. This internship has shown him the importance of patience, teamwork, and the meticulous organization required to run a successful kitchen. Lajuan is excited to continue his culinary journey, learning more about the craft and working towards his dream of becoming a chef and BBQ business owner.