Meet The Wannabe Chef

Welcome to The Wannabe Chef.

Evan 01

The truth is that no one’s born a chef; we all come into this world the same way: Naked. We have no aprons, no whisks, and no poofy hats.

It took me 18 years of life to fall in love with cooking. Before then, I made brownies from boxes and microwaved popcorn, but I never really fell in love with the ingredients—just the food.

I remember the first real cookie recipe I made—oatmeal cookies with coconut, dark chocolate chips, and lots(and lots) of butter. When people told me they truly enjoyed what I created, it was like a high. I never stopped trying after that more and more to please others with my cooking.

October 15th 007

At 18 I found myself alone and in charge for the first time. Who cooks in college? Nobody cooks in college. But I cooked in college. Armed with just a frying pan and a 30-year old stove 3 stories below me, I was determined to make my own food whenever possible. It just tasted better. And when I could cook for others felt like a dream come true; I’ve never stopped being delighted in having others enjoy the food I make.

And then it hit me: I want to be a chef. At 19, it was just one of those moments where I was cooking and thought “If only I could do this for a living!” when I realized you can do this for a living. It’s called being a chef…

September 30th 004

I’ve never taken a formal cooking class in my life; I’m a college student taking courses for a concentration has nothing to do with food. And all I want to do in life is cook. I cook for fun; I cook to relax; I cook to eat; I cook to please. And I’m determined to make this work, because I’ve always believed you can do anything you put your mind to.

October 11th 036

So won’t you join me? I can promise you recipes, food talk, and ramblings about some of my favorite chefs. My road might be long, but it will be tasty, because I am the wannabe chef.

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29 Responses to Meet The Wannabe Chef
  1. Elizabeth
    October 18, 2010 | 9:11 am

    If you want to be a chef, go for it! I think it’s great if you pursue you’re truly passionate about! It’s never too early or too late to start that pursuit. It sounds like it’ll be a fun journey!

  2. Matt
    October 18, 2010 | 9:17 am

    I want to be a chef too 😉

  3. Kristina @ spabettie
    October 18, 2010 | 9:28 am

    WOO HOO !! this is GREAT ! 😀

  4. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    October 18, 2010 | 9:31 am

    Loving the new site! Seriously, if you can cook in college, you can cook anytime, anywhere.

  5. Holly
    October 18, 2010 | 10:01 am

    i could not be more proud of you for following your passion and doing what YOU love. the road is undoubtedly hard (it always is…don’t worry!), but i have every faith that you are going to be the most hilarious, most unique chef around.

    you go boy.

  6. Exercise and Eat
    October 18, 2010 | 10:28 am

    Love the intro! Hope you’ll become a chef!

  7. Astra Libris
    October 18, 2010 | 12:22 pm

    Evan, congratulations!!! I love your new site!!!

  8. Heather (Heather's Dish)
    October 18, 2010 | 12:27 pm

    love it! way to go on taking this next step 🙂

  9. Genesis
    October 18, 2010 | 12:56 pm

    Amazing! I’m loving the new site, you’re awesome Evan! You can do whatever you set your mind to 🙂

  10. MelissaNibbles
    October 18, 2010 | 2:30 pm

    Very cool! Looking forward to following you on this journey.

  11. Leaving Fatville
    October 18, 2010 | 2:30 pm

    How freakin’ amazing! I love to cook and just discovered that fact about two years ago, at the ripe old age of 31. I look forward to your new blog! (And the recipes! )

  12. JL Goes Vegan
    October 18, 2010 | 2:31 pm

    Congrats on determining your goal and congrats on the new site (I subscribed!)

  13. Marci
    October 18, 2010 | 2:35 pm

    Congrats on launching a new site! Can’t wait to follow along!

  14. Jen
    October 18, 2010 | 2:38 pm

    Congrats! Definitely follow your heart and pursue a career that you enjoy- that’s a key to happiness. Best of luck, Evan 🙂 I know you’ll accomplish your goal!

  15. Sana
    October 18, 2010 | 2:54 pm

    Feed me.

  16. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    October 18, 2010 | 3:01 pm

    FMFF redirected me here…you are not playin around, you are dead serious about your new adventure..and in very short order you have this bad boy up and running!!!!

    SO PROUD of you!!!!!!!!!! For following your heart, dreams, and for making this happen!

    Love the baby Evan pic and you with the orange on your head…classic 🙂

    I updated my reader and blogroll!

  17. Kelly
    October 18, 2010 | 4:51 pm

    Why don’t you change your major or go to culinary school??

  18. babycakes
    October 18, 2010 | 5:00 pm

    You rock! I’ve always loved FMFF, but I’m super excited for this new blog! You can totally do anything you put your mind to! 🙂

  19. Cynthia (It All Changes)
    October 18, 2010 | 7:09 pm

    So happy you are following you passion. Johnson and Wales has a great culinary program just down the street from where you are 🙂

  20. Madeline - Greens and Jeans
    October 18, 2010 | 7:30 pm

    This is so exciting Evan! Congratulations on the “new direction!”

  21. The Candid RD
    October 18, 2010 | 8:07 pm

    I LOVE the new look, Evan, and new name!! Fabulous.

    And your story is great. It’s very similar to mine, actually, although you are definitely more chef material today than I ever will be. You really need to come check out Market District sometime. If you are ever in Ohio or PA you must stop by, or try to get a job there!!! They would LOVE to have you. It’s foodie heaven! And, you get to meet lots of Food Network stars 🙂

  22. sarah moore
    October 18, 2010 | 8:59 pm

    Way to go! You are inspiring and enjoyable and I know you will be an extremely successful chef.

  23. Rachel (tea and chocolate)
    October 18, 2010 | 9:36 pm

    It’s great that you’re following your passion! I love the look of the new blog and hope to see what you come up with.

  24. Claire
    October 18, 2010 | 9:53 pm

    Great post! You really should follow what you love; too many people today are unhappy with their jobs. Waking up every morning and absolutely LOVING your job is how it should really work out.

    Looking forward to reading all about your adventures!

  25. BigFatBaker
    October 18, 2010 | 10:01 pm

    Haha! That was an awesome intro. You pretty much just said the same thing that happened to me. After a few years of dedication to The Food Network and Allrecipes.com I realized I LOVE making people happy through food. I mainly bake though. I cook everyday, being a sophmore in college and having a BF who only makes food if its sandwiches I don’t really have any choice but to cook my own meals. I’ll definitely being checking back to see what someone else in my position in coming up with!

  26. Runeatrepeat
    October 18, 2010 | 11:17 pm

    Sorry, but I was born with a poofy hat.

    Either that, or a weird shaped head.

  27. Sarah @Gluten-free tries Vegan
    October 19, 2010 | 9:45 am

    Evan, I LOVE your new site! High-five for cheffy cooking! I have to say, since no longer living by the vegan label my passion for food has been reignited so I’m excited to see what comes up on these pages. Oh, and cookies at 9am rock! xxx

  28. Ian
    October 19, 2010 | 10:52 am

    You’re living my dream, bud, and I’m totally supporting you!!! This is super-exciting 🙂

  29. Sara
    October 19, 2010 | 8:44 pm

    Yay for new blogs! 🙂