When Danny first told me he was enrolling in culinary school, I was a bit confused. ‘Since when were you in to cooking?’ I wondered. I may have rarely seen him cook, but he had worked in the food service industry for a few years as a server at a chain restaurant. Culinary school wasn’t too far off from his interest.

Over the next 15 months, I didn’t see Danny as much as I was used to and when I did see him, it was for a few minutes. He was busy with classes every night of the week, studying and holding down a job at a restaurant. I flipped through his huge books occasionally. I ate the food he prepared. Whether a tuna melt neatly plated, spicy chilaquiles or a colorful fruit tart, it was all delicious.

A few weeks ago, he informed me that he would be graduating. We sent an invite to the family and included the photo above. I really like it.

Yesterday morning, my family gathered at Santa Anita Park to attend Danny’s graduation ceremony from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts College-Los Angeles. Afterward we had a reception at the house. Danny cooked with help from my mom. The food was made with a lot of love.

Congratulations, Danny! The whole familia is proud of you.