Changing Majors in College: Kaleb Holmes’ Culinary Journey
Before enrolling at Louisiana Culinary Institute, Prairieville native Kaleb Holmes was studying radiology. How does one go from preparing to be a radiology technician to a chef? In this case, it all comes down to family and a love for food. “After some time, I realized that radiology wasn’t for me. I’ve always loved food. My Mom and I would always try different things at restaurants. My uncle is a chef, and after we talked about my future and my goals, he suggested culinary school, and I took a chance,” says Kaleb.
When the decision was made to enroll in culinary school, Kaleb considered a few options. However, after researching LCI, the decision was simple. “I live near LCI, and after looking into it and realizing it’s one of the best culinary schools in the nation, it sparked my interest. I had also heard from some friends that they’re very hands-on, and I knew this was the place for me.” Since beginning culinary school, Kaleb has noticed significant development in his skills and confidence. “My experience has been great. All of the chef instructors have been professional; they’re all cool. Seeing my progress since starting, I’m very confident in my skills moving forward.”
The devil is in the details may sound cliché, but these details have stuck out to Kaleb during his tenure at LCI. “The details and hands-on focus during a series of classes that lead to you cooking in the kitchen. We have great, experienced chef instructors.”
A lesson that goes beyond the kitchen is accountability; being a part of a team and knowing that other people depend on you is another valuable part of LCI’s curriculum for Kaleb. “Honestly, waking up early took some getting used to. But it taught me a lot about discipline and the importance of being on time and being there for your team. This is a team environment, and everyone is striving to do their best. We count on one another, and you need to be there to help them out.” This discipline and preparedness is something that Kaleb has taken to heart. “It’s the small things like arriving on time, having your gear ready, and making sure your chef’s coat is nice, and that you have your information ready when it’s time to start,” says Kaleb.
After completing his culinary degree, Kaleb’s goal is to cook for Disney. Louisiana Culinary Institute has a great partnership with Disney. “I can definitely see myself doing the Disney program, I would love to do that. I love Florida, and I’ve always been a huge Disney fan. It would be an honor for me.” Beyond Disney, after gaining more experience, becoming a private chef could be in Kaleb’s future. “I feel like after culinary school, there are still a lot of opportunities for me to learn.”
