Category Archives: Student of the Month

daisys-cakes

Meet Daisy Hall of Daisy’s Cakes in Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daisy Hall.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Daisy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a chef. I remember in 5th grade we had a career day and I got my picture taken in a chef uniform. It was when I was 15 when I decided what kind of chef I wanted to be, a Pastry chef. I took Wilton courses and started learning basic cake decorating. Around that time Ace of Cakes aired on tv and I was hooked with the whole cake world! After graduating high school early, I wanted to go to The Culinary Institute Le’Notre, however, my parents couldn’t afford it and I ended up going to San Jacinto College at 17. At first, I started with Culinary classes because Baking and Pastry wasn’t an option then. Within my first year, I accepted a College Internship at Walt Disney World. I moved to Florida to work for Disney, I fell in love with Florida so much I decided to move there. I transferred all my classes over to their community college and to my surprise, they offered baking and pastry so I switched majors and started all over again. I worked for Disney World part-time, worked at a Cookie Shoppe full time AND went to school full time. After two years of living in Florida, I got homesick and decided to move back to Houston. I transferred all my classes once again and started over for the third time.

Once I was back in Houston and back in school, I had a bad experience with a class and was discouraged from continuing my education. Four years later, after getting married and having my first child, I decided to finish what I started, but unfortunately, I had to start all over AGAIN. This time, I decided to go back to where I originally dreamed of going, The Culinary Institute Le’Notre. Two years later, I FINALLY graduated with my Baking and Pastry degree and could finally call myself a pastry chef. This is one of my biggest accomplishments in my professional life since it took almost 10 years. Within those ten years, I always baked for family and friends here and there. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I decided that working for the man was not for me and I pursued my home business head on.

Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! I have struggled every step of the way, from not being able to afford to go to school, to having to take time off during the birth of my second child. I felt I had it all going for me when I was finally in Culinary school, but then, I got pregnant and was forced to take time off. I was not going to let that stop me what so ever. My daughter was only two months old when I went back to school. I was nursing her at the time, and I would have to take breaks in between classes in order to pump milk for her and leaver for the babysitter. Not only was I dedicated student, but a dedicated mother as well.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a home-based bakery. I make cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, pretzels, and Rice Krispies. I mainly specialize in custom cakes and cookies and I’m known for having amazing sugar cookies. As a company, I am most proud of being able to produce my customer’s visions into edible art. My passion and dedication are what sets me aside from others. I know that custom cakes and cookies can be expensive, and I try to be a little bit more affordable. I do this because I love what I do and I’m not trying to get rich off of it. I’m a small business trying to pay for my children activities like ballet and tae kwon do classes not make riches.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes. Due to the diversity and size of our city, there’s always a celebration of some kind that needs baked goods.

Contact Info:

  • Phone: 7139223236
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Instagram: Daisyscakestx
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daisyscakes.htx/
  • Other: Daisys Cakes
marylin o

Alumni Spotlight: Marilyn Ontiveros

First Name/Last   Marilyn Ontiveros
Current City   Houston, Texas
Course of Study   AAS in Culinary Arts
Graduation   2018

Good evening! My name is Marilyn Ontiveros and I am proud to be a current student and an alumnus of CULINARY INSTITUTE LENOTRE®.
I am a single mother of 3 with 2 grandchildren (no they don’t all live with me, thank God!). In October of 2015, I decided to go back to school to do what I have always dreamed of, becoming a Chef. I was so impressed with the staff at the CULINARY INSTITUTE LENOTRE® and their caring attitude that I decided that this was wonderful institution where I wanted to go.

When I first started, I worked 2 jobs at the same time to make ends meet, which they usually didn’t and still don’t. With rent, a vehicle payment, food, utilities and school tuition plus having a special needs child, makes everything overwhelming and difficult.
I graduated in March 16, with an Associate degree in Culinary Arts. I started working, at a fast pace for The Post Oak Hotel, and within 2 weeks, I had a heart attack, at the age of 52. April 1st, 2018 I had a double bypass surgery. By the time I was out of the hospital, my mother had a heart attack too, April 12 and then passed away April 16.
But I am now back to work for Aramark at NRG Center 3 days a week. Two days a week I attend CULINARY INSTITUTE LENOTRE® again for my second associate’s degree, in Hospitality and Restaurant Management, so that I move up the ladder a little.
Whether you know it or not your generous donation helped my dream of becoming a Chef come true. I received a Scholarship for $5000 and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful opportunity. My mother passed knowing I achieved my dream, because of you.
Thank You!!!

Haley-Bobbitt

Haley Bobbitt, Student of the Term

Name: Haley Bobbitt
Hometown:  Houston, TX
Current city: Houston, TX
Course of study:  A.A.S Baking & Pastry Arts
Year of graduation: March 2019

What has been your inspiration to follow this path?

It was always something I was sure of about my life so I made a plan early on, and stuck with it to ensure I get there.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far at CIL and how has your classroom experience been?

I’ve learned to just go with the flow. It’s the best thing you can do when you’re learning

My first term I was really nervous because I knew it would fly by, and it would be over before I knew it. Labs were obviously my favorite. I grew really close to my classmates, but because of a job offer i had to switch to nights a week before my level two final. Chef Philipe Harrel was the only familiar face and really helped me adjust.

What would you say to the students interested in studying at CIL?

It’s hard to hold down a full time job and school along with other issues that always seem to arise, but if you just buckle down, you’ll get through it.

Outside of CIL, what do you like to do on your personal time?

I work at a podcast studio with Chef Charles Carroll on the weekends. https://chefcharlescarroll.com/podcast/

blog_scd_halloween

A Halloween Student Celebration!

On Wednesday, October 31st we celebrated our students at a Hallween themed Student Celebration Day. This event gathered students and CIL staff all around for some food and a costume & cake contest.
We would like to thank all the students for participating in the competitions and congratulate all the winners!
Costume Contest:
Scariest- Dead Alice
Most Creative- Cleopatra
Funniest- Snack
Cake Contest:
1st- Leesh Kim
2nd-Natalie Burton
3rd-Cody Chapman

keith competition

First, Second AND Third Place at the Ben E. Keith Competition!

WHAT A WIPE OUT! CULINARY INSTITUTE LENOTRE® students participated in the competition held at the Ben E. Keith Food Expo and did an amazing job. The students displayed their Chocolate Showpiece for the judges and here were the results:

1st Place: Angie Andrade – $350, certificate & medal

2nd Place: Rebecca Jewel – $250, certificate & medal

3rd Place: Rocio Maccagno – $150, certificate & medal

Cassandra Ross – certificate & medal

Audrey Rios – certificate & medal

Danielle Arroyo- certificate & medal

View more pictures here

GayleAmaro

Gayle Amaro: Graduating as a GM and heads to Massachusetts!

Name: Gayle Amaro
Hometown: Yoakum, Texas
Current city: Houston, TX
Course of study:  A.A.S Baking & Pastry Arts
Year of graduation: 2018
Personal Motivational Motto: My mission in life is not to merely survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou

 

What has been your inspiration to follow this path?

I’ve loved to cook for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was the best cook I knew, she showed love with her cooking, so I always admired her and wanted to be like her

 

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far at CIL and how has your classroom experience been?

I’ve met some great people and awesome teachers. I’ve learned to never settle for just ok, always strive for the best you can create, it’s a reflection of your passion to cook

 

What would you say to the students interested in studying at CIL?

If you decide to pursue a career in culinary, don’t do it halfway, give it all you have to give, or don’t do it at all. We have enough half steppers in the world already.

 

What are your projects for after graduation?

I am happy to announce I will be the General manager at a restaurant in Massachusetts, outside of Boston! I have been given the opportunity to redesign the restaurant and introduce all new menu items. I have been submitting recipes to them for the past 8 months; all my hard work and perseverance has blessed me with this position. They are currently filming the Stephen King series Castle Rock (on Hulu) in that town and our restaurant will have a cameo in October!

Alicia

Alicia

Admissions advisor