Homework

As part of my Professional Cooking class, I have to write a letter to the instructor detailing why I am the best candidate for a potential cooking show at JCCC. This letter should act like an introduction to who we are and why we are taking his class. And to make matters worse, we have to read the letter to the class. At first I thought the assignment was lame and I put it off to almost the last minute. However, at the end of 1 1/2 page letter I was enlightened. I felt used this essay as a chance to reflect on my choices and what ultimately lead me to this spot right now.

Here it is:

Hi, my name is Amanda Gritzke and I have a passion for cooking especially baking. I was helping my mother and grandmothers in the kitchen since I was old enough to hold a wooden spoon and stir. Baking is my specialty, but I have created numerous recipes for savory meals too.

Even with my love of food and cooking, I went to college for Atmospheric Science. I wanted to storm chase, but when reality hit and I learned that I couldn’t make much of a living doing that, I turned to broadcasting. I was on the local KU cable station and radio station doing the weather forecast.

However, after graduating I could not find a job in my field. I turned to the restaurant industry to supplement my income until I found a “real” job. What I thought would be months turned into years and I was really enjoying the hospitality industry. I was traveling around the country training new staff for new restaurant openings and I was being molded into a management candidate. I worked as the expediter where I learned the different stations of the line, but I know there is still much for me to learn. Managers would ask where I saw myself down the road and I would always say, “Running a restaurant”.

It seems like a strange dream for someone to have when they went to school for meteorology, and eventually after 3 years, I left the restaurant for that “real” job. I stuffed that dream down and almost forgot about it. I was an environmental scientist for 4 years when I was laid off. I tried to look for another job, but nothing was appealing to me. Again, I tried to envision where I would be in the future and I could not see myself growing in the environmental industry.
I took a part-time job at the new Barnes & Noble Café in Oak Park Mall, which turned into an assistant-manager position. My dream resurfaced; this time as a coffee shop and bakery. Currently, I am beginning my own bakery business out of my home. I have a few clients booked including cupcakes for a wedding.

I would be good as part of a television program because I have experience being on camera and my cooking style is approachable and not intimidating and yet the outcome is gourmet tasting.

Thank you,
Amanda Gritzke