For some students, cooking is simply something they do when they’re hungry at home. But others may turn this activity into a genuine passion and even a professional objective.
It’s obvious that culinary skills represent more than just food for Jeffrey Cuateco. The Glendale High School senior recently made it as a finalist at the 2026 Culinary Careers Program Los Angeles Preliminary Competition at the Institute of Culinary Education in Pasadena. This honor is a means to his future, an indication of his creativity and commitment to the culinary arts.
Jeffrey first became interested in cooking in the sixth grade. He took a culinary lesson for the first time, and it was instantly noticeable that he had talent. Not only was cooking itself fascinating to him, but he realized that there are many career opportunities in the culinary arts available to him, including management, pastry arts, baking and hospitality.
Jeffrey’s first cooking instructor in middle school is one of his best memories. Due to COVID, seventh-grade classes were conducted virtually, so Jeffrey was required to cook at home and submit photos of his finished dishes, rather than cook them in a classroom. His passion grew despite the fact that his training was unique.
Jeffrey reacted with extreme delight when he learned that he would be competing as a CCAP finalist on March 20th. He clarified that until the day of the big competition, the journey wasn’t particularly hard for him.
Once Jeffrey arrived at the competition, he believed that there was no going back for him. “I might as well do it since I’m already here,” he said. This attitude demonstrates his self-assurance and determination. He concentrated on giving it his all rather than allowing anxiety to control him.
Serious preparation was necessary for the competition itself. Because they are not permitted to bring any recipes with them, participants are given specific recipes to memorize. And they don’t have much time to prepare.
In the first round, Jeffrey and his competitors were given an hour to make a French omelet, diced potatoes, and a salad. Jeffrey said he even finished five minutes ahead of schedule and that it all seemed rather easy for him.
Jeffrey’s intentions for the future are likewise linked to this competition. He has previously received training at LA Trade Tech and intends to enroll in the Institute of Culinary Education after graduation.
But winning the competition wasn’t his only reason to compete. It was about getting ready for the next phase of his professional life. Jeffrey now has an advantage over other students, in a highly competitive industry, by gaining valuable experience in high school.
Chef Pharren Evans has had a significant impact on Jeffrey’s path so far. He had participated in the CCAP program since middle school, but it was Chef Evans who first introduced him to their competitions.
She helped Jeffrey see new possibilities and gave him encouragement. It’s clear that a teacher who has faith in you can have a profound impact on your life.
Jeffrey added that his parents have also always been there for him. They encouraged him to enter the tournament as soon as he told them about it, and having a support network like that makes it easier for a person to pursue their goals.
Naturally, cooking hasn’t always been simple for Jeffrey. Learning how to use a knife was one of his most difficult tasks at first. It requires care and skill to control a knife, to cut precisely and to create flawless cubes. However, those abilities strengthened over time, and Jeffrey gained more confidence and accelerated.
In terms of expertise, Jeffrey has a particular enthusiasm for pastry arts and baking. Compared to ordinary cooking, he explained, baking feels more like art and beauty. It has an artistic and expressive quality.
In his spare time, he likes to look up recipes and modify them to make something different. This kind of creativity is what distinguishes enthusiastic bakers from those who merely follow steps in a recipe.
Because of his confidence in the kitchen, Jeffrey has ambitious plans for the future. In addition to studying business management, Jeffrey wishes to focus on baking and culinary arts. His desire is to either start his own bakery or to work in management, while still developing his baking skills.
In the end, Jeffrey’s culinary experience demonstrates that incredible results can come from practice, desire and support. It takes time and effort to go from a middle school class to a competition final, and turning your interests into a career requires commitment and self-belief.
Jeffrey sees this competition as the start of a new journey. The future appears bright and full of opportunities because of his passion for baking and excellent work ethic.
