Name: Acarya “AJ” Ajita
Snapchef Location: Worcester
Position: Apprentice Cook, Server, Utility
What experience in your life led to you interested in food and cooking?
I was raised in an old-school, traditional Hispanic family; so food meant so much more to me than just sustenance. It was the entire process of everyone in the family helping and ten joining around the table to enjoy the meal we had just prepared.
Describe the moment when you decided that you wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field.
I found that I had come to a point in my life where I was down and out. I did not have a job at the time, and so I decided to take a leap of faith and start working at Snapchef.
What challenges have you faced – and what obstacles have you had to overcome – to pursue your career in the culinary field?
I’ve had to face a lot during my time learning in this field, the most challenging thing to overcome at first was my fear that I wouldn’t be good enough.
How have friends and family reacted to your career choice?
Every one of my close friends and family members were happy to see me pursuing a career that I enjoyed. It is not just work, it’s something that I enjoy and it inspires me.
What do you like most about working in a professional kitchen?
I like having the opportunity to see things from another’s perspective and seeing how they do things differently in every kitchen I am sent to help in.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
My comfort foods are Mofongo and Alcapurrias.
What is your favorite thing about working at Snapchef?
I like working for Snapchef because I feel like I am around family here. Since day one, they have been supportive in helping me build my career in the food industry.
What is your advice to those interested in pursuing a career in the culinary field?
My advice would be to not get too intimidated by the career. Everyone must start out of somewhere, and there is so much that you can learn from working at Snapchef.
What are some of your other hobbies outside of cooking?
I enjoy exercising, reading and taking a good nap.
