Thiago Quir

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 
Area of Study: Cuisine

FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF

FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LENOTRE STUDENT

“The hands-on classes, you have no reason to not learn a new thing every single class.”

FAVORITE CLASS

“It is hard to pick one because I enjoy most of them but I love making fresh pasta.”

FUTURE CAREER PLANS

“I have so many!! But definitely to open my own restaurant so I can express who I am as a Chef and to introduce Brazilian Cuisine to this beautiful City of Houston.”

We love to showcase the achievements and successes of our alumni. Take a minute to check out this story.

Alumni: Matthew Shaw
Hometown: Beeville, Texas
Year of Graduation: 2001 & 2011

What inspired you to become a chef?

For most of my adult life I have had a passion for food prep, presentation and for the pleasure of using food as a medium to bring together family, friends and colleagues. It began in my mother’s humble country kitchen and has blossomed into a profession I am proud to have membership within.

How would you describe the impact of your courses at CIL on your daily life?

Now that I am in charge of my own galley (kitchen), I have the opportunity to teach those just starting in the culinary field within the Coast Guard what I learned at CIL. From “mise en place” to knife skills, to classical and contemporary culinary techniques. Everyday I refer back to my training that I obtained withCIL over 15 years ago!

Any memorable moments as a student?

Returning to CIL in 2011 for an Associates degree, delivering the commencement speech as the Gold Magna Cum Laude graduate for my class, and then being given a scholarship to stage in Paris by Alain and Marie LeNotre. 

Any words of wisdom for students?

A culinarian’s learning process never stops. There will always be a challenge to overcome and a skill set to refine.

To be featured in our next Alumni Spotlight follow the link and complete our form! https://forms.gle/xEZAFEKcmPtusbjY7

Every term we gather in our amphitheater for food, music, games and to celebrate our students achievements. In this moment of celebration, we recognize a Student of the Term from Cuisine, Pastry and Hospitality & Restaurant Management. Our Level 4 Pastry students also showcase themed cakes for all students and staff to vote for their favorite. It’s fun all around!

Theme & Cake Winners: This term’s theme was, of course, Mardi Gras! The student services department went all out with the decorations and the cakes were decorated in true carnival fashion.