Reminiscing Newport

A most *perfect* sunset with the moon popping out over the Newport Pell Bridge

During the summer of 2016, I worked for a hotel/restaurant called Castle Hill Inn. I did my required externship there for my associates degree from the Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation in May of 2017, I was offered a full time position at CHI. I never thought I'd come back to RI after college, but I didn't want to give up on the offer I was presented so I took it. I worked at CHI full time between the summer of 2017 and winter of 2019. Let me just tell you, what an amazing opportunity I had there! I started off as a pastry cook again, this time working dinner service, then eventually moved onto savory cooking, working in their more casual kitchen and from there, finishing up my time with the Newport Restaurant Group as a FOH staff member (serving breakfast to the house guests, working expo and running food for lunch, and attending room service orders).

Working at CHI gave me such an incredible basis to starting my career as a chef. The ingredients and techniques were top notch, the service and care, unmatched. There was never any competition or negativity. Everyone there had a purpose and worked hard to show up as a part of the team. I am so grateful for all the people that I met and the connection I created while working there, I really wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for the experience I had there.

The thing I miss the most though, besides the food and the people, are the views. Those breathtaking sunsets and that incredible picturesque horizon is something I will NEVER forget. I swear, whenever I am feeling down or need a quick little getaway escape, I drive an hour to Newport, and it heals my soul in an instantly. Even during the wintertime it's absolutely beautiful. The way the snow falls and glides effortlessly over the ocean creates an image worth capturing. Rhode Island isn't called the "Ocean State" for nothing, but nowhere else compares to being up close and personal with the Atlantic Ocean like being in Newport.