Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Fiser.
Hi Simon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My culinary arts journey started when I was very young, cooking with my mom. It was simple things to help her out like mixing better or seasoning vegetables, but I always loved being in the kitchen with her. when I got older, I grew more independent with my cooking abilities and really expanded my knowledge when I was around 14. since highschool, I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity that I could to grow as a chef and a culinary arts student. My junior year I enrolled in my school’s culinary arts program and also took part in the Skills USA culinary arts competition. I made it to states and placed 8th that year, and I am competing again my senior year, with my states competition being on April 11th. I’m attending Michigan State University next year with a plan to major in finance, and follow my time in college with culinary school to acquire my culinary arts degree.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, my path has been fairly smooth and unproblematic. My perseverance and determination help a lot with how I perceive a challenge, keeping my head level when external problems came in the way of my development. the most notable are physical injuries I’ve had (broken arm, dislocated shoulder). and during my recovery I found any and every possible way to work around my injury to keep doing what I was doing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My extreme passion for the culinary arts and food in general, and with that my very strong skills in cooking and the art of food, are something that I pride myself on greatly. There are few my age that can do what I do and as well as I do it, which I show through my work time and again to professional chefs, Judges, and my peers. I love what I do as an aspiring chef and I think the dishes I make show my passion very well.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My definition of success is being able to look back at any point in time and knowing you are better than the person you were then. No matter how far the time gap, whether it was yesterday or 10 years ago, if I can confidently say I am better as a person and my life has improved since then, I have been successful.
