Irulian Dabbs
Austin, TX
AOS Culinary Arts, December 2007
BPS Culinary Arts, June 2009
Timothy Upton Memorial Scholarship
Irulian Dabbs was inspired to pursue a career in culinary arts after reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. "Soon after reading
the book, I applied and was hired at Freda's Seafood Grille in Austin,
Texas," said Irulian. "There, I began my service industry career as a hostess. I loved the hustle and
bustle of a busy night, the interactions with the customers, and the unique and
wonderful people this industry allows you to meet."
Irulian, who has been on the Dean's
List of Academic Achievement throughout her CIA career, was especially inspired
by Chef Lynne Gigliotti '88, one of her first instructors
outside her skills classes. "She is an amazing chef, a wonderful teacher, and I
felt I could really relate to her with the tie of being females in a male
dominated industry. She worked hard to get where she is and has been very
important in my standards of what I want to achieve," said Irulian.
Her externship was at the Mansion On Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.
"The head chef there was amazing," she said. "His food was cutting edge, and
the staff was terrific and fun." Irulian worked garde manger and room service, and also did shifts with the
saucier. "Those shifts in the early morning making all the sauces for dinner
that night were the most amazing hours of my life. The saucier was an
incredibly talented and particular chef from whom I gained a wealth of
knowledge and advice."
Eventually, Irulian hopes to open her
own restaurant in Austin, Texas.
"I am on track thus far with the education portion and as soon as I am done
here, I plan to travel and see the world, gain experience in the field, and
then settle down and start the planning."
In the meantime to make ends meet, Irulian works approximately 20 hours a week as a waitress off campus in a fine dining
establishment. "I am so proud to be a scholarship recipient," said Irulian. "It really helps me focus on my goals and what I
need to do to accomplish them. I am ever so grateful for all who have been
there for me in my journey to obtain my dream."
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