What is your background?: My name is Abi Bartlett, and I am from a small town called Alburnett, Iowa, where I grew up and attended school from kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout high school, I never really knew what career path I wanted to pursue until I got a job working in a kitchen during my junior year. Something just clicked. I fell in love with the creativity, fast-paced environment, and opportunity to work alongside so many different people. This experience introduced me to the amazing world of culinary arts and hospitality.
What brought you to Kirkwood and why?: I have worked with many people, and continue to work with others, who graduated from Kirkwood’s culinary program. Every one of them encouraged me to take the leap and apply for the program. Since making that decision, I have gained valuable knowledge, developed new skills, built lasting friendships, and become more confident in myself.
What is your program of study and what interests you about it?: So now I am a Culinary Arts student at Kirkwood! One of my favorite parts of the program has been watching not only my own growth but also the growth of my classmates. I have met some truly amazing people, and I am grateful to be learning and growing alongside them.
Another area of culinary arts that has sparked my interest is hospitality. I love the idea of preparing food, serving it to others, and seeing the enjoyment it brings them. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience this firsthand through a class project at the Kirkwood Cafe. As a group, we created a menu and had the opportunity to prepare and serve our dishes for two weeks. This was an incredible learning experience that allowed us to see customers’ real-time reactions to our food, work together on a professional kitchen line, and interact with other students who were curious about our program. It gave me a better understanding of how rewarding the hospitality side of the culinary industry can be.
Are you involved in anything off of campus?: Life as a culinary student can be busy, but I always make time for the other things I enjoy. I currently work at Feedwell Kitchen and Bakery as a line cook and baker, and I occasionally help with catering. During the summer and fall, I also enjoy helping a family friend with her small concession stand business.
What do you do for fun?: Outside of school and work, some of my favorite activities include curling up with a good fantasy book for hours, fishing with friends (even if we spend half our time getting our hooks caught in the trees), creating pottery and ceramic sculptures, going to the gym, and spending quality time with my closest friends and family.
Where do you see yourself in five years?: Looking ahead five years, I hope to have traveled, explored new places, learned as much as I can from the people around me, and, most importantly, enjoyed the journey along the way. Someday, I would love to own my own restaurant or cafe. I envision creating a welcoming space where people can step away from their busy lives, slow down, spend quality time with the people they care about, and enjoy delicious food. Ultimately, I hope to create the same kind of meaningful experiences through food and hospitality that first inspired me to choose this career.