Although this post has to do with food (sort of), it is more in the personal side. I don’t usually write about personal stuff on this blog, but I am excited and want to share this with my readers.
You might know that I’ve reached a landmark in my life. I turned 30 years old in June and that got me thinking. No, I don’t feel old or think that my life has ended. After all, I am planning to live for at least 100 years so this is just the beginning. What I’ve been thinking about is what I am going to do with the rest of it. At this age normal people already have careers, kids (ugh) and pretty much their lives are figured out. But you guessed it right. I am not normal. My life for the past 10 years has been an exciting roller coaster.
But now I think it is time I pick a single trail and walk it to the end. What I mean is I need to pick one of the many things I’ve learn to do in the past 8 years or so and love to do. Is it going to be a career in interpreting/translating or maybe teaching or accounting (that’s what I studied but EEEEWWW)? Nope. I’ve decided that my professional life should revolve around food.
I’ve been around food my whole life, but only lately I’ve realized that it is my passion. I love taking pictures of it, writing about it, preparing it and learning something new about it every day. So why not make it part of my career? That’s why I’ve decided that I want to step it up. Jump to the next level which means going to culinary school.
The last couple of days I’ve been reading a lot about it. Even though this plan is still in its early stages I know that I don’t necessarily want to work in a restaurant/catering business/food establishment. I want to learn about food so I can understand it better and combine it with my other two passions: writing and photography. I want to study in Mexico because a) it is a lot less expensive and b) I love Mexican food and what a better place to learn more about it than its country of origin.
So far the school that I like the best is Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana in downtown Mexico City. They offer a Bachelor’s degree in Gastronomy. Their installations are state-of-the-art. The curriculum is very complete and they even have exchange programs with the US and some European countries. Nice, isn’t it? Oh, and the government offers scholarships to good students (and I have always been a good student, LOL)
Like I said this is a plan that was just conceived and needs to mature. But I am expecting to have all the details (moving to another country, costs, housing, family, etc) worked out in about six months. It is a big step and a challenge. I know, but that’s something I really want to do and, you know me, I love challenges. I will post updates as things move on. Stay tuned!
In another completely different topic. I want to thank three wonderful friends that gave this humble blog three awards more.
First my friend Cuquita la pistolera, a wonderful and extremely smart person, awarded What’s cooking? Premio al Esfuerzo Personal (Personal Effort Award)
Christina and Ivy, two of my favorite food bloggers, gave this blog the Brillante Weblog Premio (Brilliant Weblog Award)
Thank you very much my frieds for thinking this humble space deserves them. The rules usually involved passing the awards to somebody else. But you know my rules. I think every food blogger out there deserves them because we are not only bloggers. We are cooks, photographers, writers and even web developers and designers. So these two awards are for all of you. Please show them proudly on your blogs 
¡Buen provecho!
Related Articles
Share
About Author
(17) Readers Comments
Leave a Reply
Welcome
Random & Recent Posts
kat
wow! what a big step. good for you thinking about what you really want & making a plan to go for it!
Andy
That’s great! (And culinary school would give you some great blog topics.) That is really cool that you’re willing to make this leap. I don’t know if it would be much help since you’re looking at schools in Mexico, but http://www.cheftalk.com has a cooking forum for culinary schools and students. Keep us updated.
kate
Congratulations Ben …no not for turning 30 ! for the award ! lol ..haah …nono … actually for both. I dont know whats the big deal with men going 30. My hubby turned 30 this April , n even he could not stop whining about it … but now he’s ok ..i think men get better after 30 :p
Peter G
I think this is wonderful news Ben! Only you know what will work out in the end…but I’m sure a culinary career is the perfect choice for you. You can already expand on your wonderful knowledge…
Jen of a2eatwrite
Congrats on the awards (and you’re arte y pico award), but more especially on this new direction and plan. It’s not easy to find one’s passion in life. It sounds like you’re trying to tie all the ends together from your life here, too. I hope everything works out smoothly and well. It all sounds very exciting!
Bunny
Ben what a great challenge for you! I know that whatever you chose to do you will be great at! Just don’t forget us when you move!! Congratulations on your awards!
Christina
Ben, I’m really exciting for you! I know you’ll do well with what you chose and you’ll definitely leave a mark.
Marie
Go for it Ben! I wish I could rewind my life and do the same. Follow your passion, it will all work out!
Ivy
If I were thirty (only in my dreams) I would definitely go for it. I wish you good luck and I think you are 99% ready for it. Here is the other 1%: a) You are still very young b) you are going back to your country c) you will be doing what you really like d) you said it, you love challenges.
kittie
I’m so pleased for you for decided to follow your heart in what you want to do. Congratulations, and I wish you every success along the way.
Bellini Valli
I think it’s wonderful that you have found your passion. Culinary school sounds exciting. Do your family still live in Mexico City?
Adam
I’m so happy for you dude! I swear, it takes a long time to find out exactly what to do with your life, but you’ve figured it out… just do what you love. You’ll love going to work everyday, and you’ll be so happy that everything else just falls into place. Congrats, you’re a hard worker so I know you’ll do very, very well.
You turned 30? I have this old rusty walker in my basement, let me know…
joan nova
Bravo! Sera un gran exito!
(congrats…you’ll be a great success).
Cynthia
Hey Ben, I salute your courage to uproot yourself and follow your dreams, there is no time like the present to do it; you’re still young and can uproot yourself, many people cannot do that.
I have thought of going to culinary school too but like you, I am not interested in having my own restaurant or any eating establishment, I just want to learn more, write and do my photography. And, many of the programmes I looked at seemed geared towards people interested in working in the industry (restaurant). I am fortunate to have a career that offers me the flexibility to follow my passion. I am constantly building on that passion and one day hope to make it a full-time career, until then, I am happy with the way things are.
All the best my friend.
kellypea
Good for you, Ben. I went back to school to finish my degree when I was 27 and spent many, many good years in that profession. I think your plans sound very exciting and smart. I’d like to have a small business, though, and am too impatient to go back to school yet again. Notice how I didn’t say TOO OLD? heh.
Jude
I’ve also had similar thoughts — food is something I’m really passionate about and I’ve always wanted to take the “next step.” I wish you the best of luck and to follow your dreams.
Sam
Sounds fantastic! I hope it works out really well for you.
Sam