CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Courtney Allen grew up dreaming of playing basketball, but the 21-year-old who recently moved to Charlotte has a new dream thanks to a local nonprofit.
It wasn't always easy, though. Allen had a few bad work experiences that made it seem like cooking wasn't a good fit. She was also going through some difficulties in life that were keeping Allen from realizing her dreams.
"Before I came down here, I was not in my best state," she said. "I was going through a lot."
She then heard about the Community Culinary School of Charlotte, where she's turning a passion for cooking into a career as a chef.
"This opened up a lot of eyes," Allen said. "I was able to see how it was to be in a position of a real chef."
Chef Ron Ahlert joined the school as a teacher after spending years in kitchens around the world. He later served as an executive chef for a large food corporation in North Carolina. Now the executive director of Community Culinary School of Charlotte, Ahlert says their goal is to help adults who have experienced barriers to long-term employment.
Since 1997, skilled and professional chefs like Ahlert have been helping students reach the goal of earning a living wage and creating delicious meals.
"The Community Culinary School of Charlotte gives back," he said. "We offer folks an opportunity to touch the success that they envision for themselves."
And there is a hunger for the chefs who learn their craft at the school.
"The hospitality industry was severely ravaged by COVID," Ahlert said. "As we emerge from COVID, the hospitality industry needs help. They need trained professionals."
The training is just what Allen needs to give her the confidence to get back in the kitchen.
"My knife skills, even though I had knife skills, I have improved," she said.
Those new skills are giving her the cutting edge, just like on the hardwood.
"It's a passion," Allen said. "I love basketball and I made this a passion. It's like you won a championship when you graduate, like you won a medal. Hopefully I get my medal, I'm almost there."
Earning the title of chef isn't the end. It's just the beginning for Allen, who has big dreams to own her own restaurant one day.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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