a career with solid footing

A Story about Sophia Pinabell

 As a young person, Sophia knew exactly what she wanted to do for her career after high school – work in the culinary field. Like many of us, figuring out how to get there was where she needed support.

Carefully taking steps toward her goals, Sophia found an after-school program through her high school in Everett, MA, and began the work of building a pathway toward a career in a field she loved since she was a young girl. The chefs at Everett High became solid mentors and also introduced her to Future Chefs.

At first, Sophia found the work difficult, but the staff at Future Chefs reinforced that the challenge meant she was growing, and that getting out of her comfort zone meant she was making progress in her field. “Everything was challenging and required practice and more practice for so long. But to see it come full circle really helps. Plus, the environment at Future Chefs is always fun,” Sophia says.

After high school, Sophia crafted a plan with the help of Future Chefs to find a job that she loved. Her hard work paid off, and jobs followed…at Fenway, IMB, and Tatte, where she currently works. Of course Sophia learned knife skills at Future Chefs, and she also credits one of the essential life skills she learned as a key factor in her success. “Networking is huge with Future Chefs. I have friends and connections that even after 10 years, are still going strong. The environment you create and the connections with the team are what’s most important,” Sophia says. Some of those relationships are also what Sophia refers to as her family.

Living in the present is important to Sophia, and she is enjoying the fruits of her labor! She would like to continue working hard at her current job at Tatte, and make progress in her career path there. Outside of work, her life goals include buying land and building her own house.

Sophia is a remarkable role model for how to patiently build and execute a successful path for life after high school, and we asked her what her advice was for young people just like her. “Don’t be afraid to fail and always be willing to learn! And as a chef, get a good pair of shoes."