Daniel is a sweet and hardworking intern who brings a quiet determination to the kitchen. Introduced to Sprouts through a school program supporting aspiring culinary artists who have faced hardships, Daniel was excited for the opportunity. As the oldest of four siblings he has always played a vital role in helping his family. Cooking with his mom from a young age sparked his love for the kitchen, and now he sees cooking as not only a passion but also a practical way to support his future goals. While his ultimate dream is to become a dentist, Daniel joined Sprouts to build skills that could help him pay for college and gain meaningful work experience. Daniel was able to explore his new found culinary passion at Sobre Mesa with chef Nelson German. Daniel started his internship feeling nervous but determined. His first task was stuffing empanadas, and while he needed a little extra reassurance in the beginning, he quickly found comfort and excitement in the kitchen's fast-paced atmosphere. Throughout the internship, Daniel learned an array of valuable skills like preparing bone marrow, making brioche bread with chimichurri, plating dishes, working the cold station, and even conquering the challenge of opening oysters. Though memorizing multiple menus initially seemed overwhelming, Daniel put in the effort and mastered them, becoming more confident and detail-oriented.Working closely with sous chefs and other team members, Daniel grew not just technically but socially. He built connections with the staff through playful challenges, like racing to see who could open oysters faster, and always appreciated the feedback they gave at the end of each shift. With each week, Daniel became more comfortable communicating, taking initiative, and completing tasks without needing step-by-step instructions. His organization skills also improved — learning how to label, set up stations, and multitask efficiently.Daniel credits Sprouts for helping him gain confidence and professional kitchen experience. He now talks louder, navigates tasks with less confusion, and feels ready to continue his culinary journey as a way to support his academic aspirations. The program has also allowed him to reconnect with his mom through cooking, helping more at home and applying his newly gained skills. Inspired by his mother’s strength and his family's resilience, Daniel hopes to continue working in kitchens, mastering new techniques like stovetop cooking, and using his talents to help pay for college while making people happy with his food.