My name is Jeremy Salamon and I’m a 17 year old teen with an extraordinary passion for food and cooking. As you can tell by the pictures on this page, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some pretty remarkable people from the Culinary World. All of them have given me some great advice that continues to inspire me each and every day. Hopefully, through this web site I can share some of that inspiration with you.
My parents have told me that for as long as they could remember I’ve been very creative and had an undeniable love of Food. When I was five years old I developed a taste for salads, followed by mussels (and all kinds of seafood) and from then on I never ate off a kids menu. I began helping my mom and my two grandmothers cook all kinds of meals for holiday’s, weekend dinner’s, birthday’s, or just any big family get together. When I was about nine years old I started watching the Food Network after school, before long I was hooked. I watched as many cooking shows as possible and began reading and collecting lots of cook books. I soon started asking my parents about taking cooking classes and they began searching for local schools that would teach young kids. After a long search they found one which was quite a far drive, but it didn’t matter. I wanted to cook and my parents were willing to support me.
Before I continue, I want you to know that I’m just a normal teenager (well, almost). I love to hang out with my friends, watch movies and go on family vacations. I enjoy reading when I have some down time and not just cookbooks. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my passion and thats what I’m going to do.
When I was 13 my parents desperately tried to find more places for me to learn more about cooking. The crazy thing is that even with the popularity of the Food Network there wasn’t a lot of organized cooking programs for kids. Then they discovered the web site for the C’est Si Bon Cooking School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, owned and operated by Dorette and Rich Snover. C’est Si Bon offers adult and kids cooking classes throughout the year as well as summer programs for kids and teens. Because of their love of food and cooking they want to educate kids and give them an appreciation of what it would be like to become a chef. So my parents sent me to their camp and I had an incredible experience. After that summer I knew for sure I wanted to become a Chef. The coolest part about it was being able to relate to other teens who liked to cook, just like me. I now go back each summer as an intern to help teach kids as well as other teens. Since then our two families have become friends and I consider Dorette (who is a CIA [Culinary Institute of America] trained chef) to be one of my mentors.
After that summer, things just started to happen. I did as much cooking as possible and between, friends, family and school, I started to gain some notoriety. In February 2008 the Sun-Sentinel (South Florida Newspaper) included me in an article on kids that cook. After the article was written the Sun-Sentinel decided to shoot a video of me cooking for their web site. (click here for link to video). Around the same time the annual SoBe Wine and Food Festival came to South Beach, which happens to be hosted by Food Network. Somehow one of their producers came across the Sun-Sentinel article and decided to do a segment on me for their online series the “FN Dish” and was interviewed by the Amateur Gourmet, Adam Roberts (click here for link to my episode). Afterwards my family and I were invited to take a tour of the Food Network studios in New York City. It was an awesome experience to see what goes on behind the scenes and get the opportunity to meet some of the Food Network stars.
I’m now a Senior at West Boca High School’s Culinary Academy (Boca Raton, Fl). This academy is a program within the school featuring a state of the art commercial kitchen with four years of culinary training. The program teaches students about the food service industry in addition to preparing those that choose (such as me) to continue their culinary education afterwards. When I graduate I plan on attending Culinary School and to possibly one day open my own restaurant.
In early 2009 I wanted to find a way to share my passion and inspire Kids, Teens and families, so I decided to create my own web site. With the help of my family we launched JeremyCooks.com in July 2009. On JeremyCooks.com you can follow me on my journey to becoming a chef, read my blog, get tips, new recipes and watch me cook with some great chefs. I will also be cooking with other kids and teens, having fun while teaching them and sharing those experiences with you. Throughout all of this I hope I can get you to see why I’m so excited about food and hopefully inspire you as well!!!!
Since we launched the site I’ve been featured in lots of magazine, newspapers, web sites and TV. Remember, I’m still learning and the best way for me to do that is to spend as much time as possible in a professional kitchen. After apprenticing for a year at Todd English’s Wild Olives (here in Boca Raton, FL) I now work at Brulé Bistro under Executive Chef Suzanne Perrotto. Oh, and I’ve also decided to write my first book (why wait) which is presently in the works, I’ll keep you updated as things develop.
When I started JeremyCooks I wanted to inspire other to get into the kitchen. As I’ve gotten a bit older I have realized that it’s not only about cooking the food. It’s also sitting around the table with friends and family and enjoying the meal you have created. Although my original message hasn’t changed we’re going to be spending a lot of time together going from Kitchen to Table.
Well thats my story.......at least for now. This site is dedicated to everyone who loves Food, Cooking and Great Conversation and I hope you decide to hang around and follow me.
Thanks for visiting JeremyCooks and
....................................................... Keep on Cooking!!!
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