01/09/2026
This man right here William Beels, was the first chef that I was under, and the first person in the industry that I seriously talked about what I want to achieve. Before I actually knew what a chef was, I thought you had to be a Wolfgang Puck or Gordon Ramsay in order to have that title. He showed and taught me what a real chef is. A person who operates, manages, leads, teaches, exposes your weaknesses in order to strengthen them, staying poised under chaotic pressured environments, and putting a team on your back when they’re drowning. Anything beyond is what you define for yourself as a chef, however not just anyone can do it.
I’ve been cooking and messing up food since I was teenager and started getting serious in my early 20’s, it wasn’t until early/mid 30’s I decided to step into a commercial kitchen. I told him why I was stepping into this line work and he’s the first one that saw and said I have potential in this industry. I was also part of a team he brought with him, which almost 10yrs later, that crew has been unmatched and set the bar for me. Him and that team showed me more in a year than some people learn in a few years in this industry (I was also eager to learn).
He came out Saturday to support and it let me know I’m heading in a good direction because he still believes in me and gave me some great advice while also reaching out a hand if I need it.
I appreciate you coming by, it means a lot and no matter where this path takes me, you’ll always be my Number 1 chef that I’ll never forget!