Changing Careers to Follow Your Passion: Meet Mary Frances Daniel

“We’re all going to win together.” This is the mindset that Mary Frances Daniel has when it comes to success. This was her attitude as a collegiate volleyball player, and it has transitioned into the kitchen at Louisiana Culinary Institute. Mary Frances is wrapping up her degree program in the savory concentration and plans to stay to finish her baking and pastry degree next year. 

While her first educational direction wasn’t toward the culinary arts, cooking has always been her passion. Mary Frances earned Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics before earning a Master’s of Arts in Urban Education at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. It was during a student teaching session when some words of wisdom were passed along to pursue her dream. This conversation happened to coincide with her Grandmother’s passing, and Mary Frances knew, “I would do it for her”.

Growing up as an only child, Mary Frances always enjoyed cooking. Learning from her Mom, Dad, and Grandmothers, it quickly became her passion. “We would do our own version of ‘Chopped’, Dad was the judge, and I’d always pick the most elaborate recipes,” recalls Mary Frances. This passion for cooking and creating is what eventually led her to LCI. “I love the food and the passion. This is the real world and where I belong.” 

Mary Frances grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and had visited Louisiana a few times, always feeling a calling. Loving the culture, cuisine, and people, Louisiana Culinary Institute was her first and only choice when it came to selecting a culinary school. “The internship opportunities, specifically the opportunity to work at The Masters are incredible. I got to experience The Masters with my Dad and work behind the scenes. Greens jackets, patrons, every part of it was incredible,” remarks Mary Frances.

While at LCI Mary Frances has thrived through the support of her classmates and chef instructors. “Hearing their knowledge is addicting. They believe in their students.” Another opportunity that she’s taken advantage of is the use LCI’s facilities to continue working on her craft. “I spend time in there on Fridays, working on new sourdough bread. There are so many ways to find joy in the culinary arts.”

Having earned a Master’s degree Mary Frances was prepared for the workload required in culinary school. “Food doesn’t scare me. I was fully present for this opportunity, I felt like I could attack it.” 



When it comes to preparing food the best part is seeing the smile on someone’s face when they get to experience what you’ve created. Mary Frances recently made a s’more for a relative visiting from Cuba. She made a homemade marshmallow, craftily put it together, and watching the smile on her face develop in the live photo on her iPhone is what makes all of this worthwhile.

After graduation, and completing her baking and pastry degree, Mary Frances would like to become a personal chef. “Hosting small, intimate gatherings, date nights, and more are the big dream,” says Mary Frances. Until then gaining as much experience, and seeing as many perspectives as possible is her goal. “I would love to work where everything is locally grown and cooked, a farm-to-table restaurant. I love working with bread. My initials are MFD, one day I’d like to open a bakery named MF Dough.”