Chef Raymond Li of Miami’s acclaimed Palmar tells his story.
Before Raymond Li became executive chef at Palmar in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District in 2018—the same year—he spent time behind bars at Florida State Prison. But as he tells it, he might not have made it to where he is today if the kitchen hadn’t been the only place willing to hire him—a young man with no professional experience and felonies on his record.
I spent about a year away in what’s known as the original Florida State Prison, located in a small town called Raiford. It’s in the middle of nowhere, in between Gainesville and Jacksonville with a population of 200 or so people, not including the correctional facility. My time consisted of making a lot of “gulas”—a common word used in prison to describe a stew-like mix of different commissary items, like corn chips, mayonnaise, sausage, and ramen noodles—inside my cell.
Of all the schools here in Miami, Le Cordon Bleu has the biggest influence, which was important to me because of my past; I felt like it could help me outshine my record. I know some people think enrolling in school isn’t worth it, but it was for me, and with the help of financial aid and a few loans, I was able to make it work. Culinary school was the first time I took my education seriously. It wasn’t just about getting by.
I can’t exactly describe how I feel about the transition. I’ll always love Palmar. It was difficult for me to say goodbye, but it’s necessary for my growth. It feels good knowing my hard work and innovation in the kitchen has been recognized to the point that someone would want to invest in my own restaurant. It’s also an acknowledgement of how I’ve evolved as a person and how the kitchen saved my life. This is a chef’s dream come true.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
'Hard time': Warning for Trump in bribery cases landing politicians in jailMSNBC Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber reports on how politicians in both parties have been brought down by bribery, as Pres. Trump faces evidence of bribery in the Ukraine scandal. Melber analyzes cases that sent politicians to prison, from a congressman caught on tape accepting a bribe, to another politician convicted of a bribery deal that was “inferred” but not spelled out.
Lire la suite »
Ex-Chicago cop avoids jail time for $360,000 theft of dead mom's Social Security checksA former Chicago police commander who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $360,000 in Social Security payments intended for his dead mother managed to avoid jail time at sentencing on Tuesday. Kenneth Johnson, a 32-year veteran of the force who led the Englewood patrol district his last two years on
Lire la suite »
Daniel Craig's James Bond Returns One Last Time in the Trailer for No Time to DieDaniel Craig's James Bond returns one last time in the trailer for 'No Time to Die.' NoTimetoDie JamesBond DanielCraig 007
Lire la suite »
Honduras court orders 50-year jail terms in case of slain dam activistA Honduran court on Monday handed down jail terms of up to five decades for seve...
Lire la suite »
Two dozen Baltimore jail officers indicted for allegedly using excessive force25 Maryland correctional officers have been indicted for allegedly using excessive force on prisoners at state-operated jails in Baltimore, officials say.
Lire la suite »
US court sentences Hezbollah operative to 40 years in jailAn American of Lebanese descent was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Tuesday for buying weapons and plotting attacks on behalf of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. Ali Kourani, 34, was found guilty in May of gathering intelligence on potential attack targets, including New York&39;s JFK International
Lire la suite »