Portland, Oregon, has a well-known culinary institute. At the light rail stop next to it, there are always students boarding. Some of them live near.... Portland, Oregon, has a well-known culinary institute. At the light rail stop next to it, there are always students boarding. Some of them live near us, so we often ride the light rail home together. They are easy to spot in their uniforms, and they're always easy to approach.

Over the past year or so, I've had the pleasure of engaging several in conversations. They tell me about their classes, the school, their plans.

From the most recent encounter, I learned about a new "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant in Portland's North Park Blocks. It's all about food, no frills, affordable. My kind of place. The student also told my 14 year old daughter about the types of food and preparation methods at chain restaurants--the disturbing absence of culinary skill, and the automated nature of it all. Yuck!

We ate up his insights.

After finishing classes in Portland, he's off to Europe to complete his training. Eventually he wants to own and operate his own restaurant.

I love these encounters with culinary students. I love their perspectives. I love to hear about their dreams.

And to think these light rail rides only last around 15 minutes!