'For the past nine months, I secretly attended the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York City to further explore my interest in food and french cooking techniques. At first, I had planned on studying under some of the best Chefs in the country for an upcoming documentary I hoped to produce, I soon chose to put aside all side projects and dive right in. While trying to balance my filmmaking with school was more than difficult, I knew it would be a worthwhile endeavor. When I first exclaimed to my friends and family that I would be attending one of the most challenging culinary schools in America all while trying to continue pursuing my film career, they all thought I was crazy - they were probably right. However, due to the culinary work of Chefs such as John Besh, who I have looked up too and been continuously inspired by ever since first dining at his restaurant Luke in New Orleans, I realized my dream of one day putting on Chef whites and perhaps even passing through one of his kitchens. After a countless amount of burns, cuts, and nearly soul-crippling anxiety, I finally graduated. It was a wonderful moment, yet nothing compared to being asked by my Chef instructor to revisit the school in order to volunteer for Chef Besh himself! Whether or not I ever return to my Chef whites or not, one thing is for sure, I lived out a dream by being able to work in the kitchen with my culinary hero. Perhaps it was worth it all along! Now, back to the movies! Thanks everyone for their wonderful support and love during these past nine months. xoxo - Court'
Chef John Besh, Courtney Fathom Sell, and Master Chef Alain Sailhac. 2011
