Why Culinary school?

Hey all! Well I know some of you are wondering where this all came from and some might not care... but I want talk a little about what is and has been going on in my head.
Why Culinary school?
I cannot tell you what went on in my head during the my time on Worst Cooks in America because if I talk about what I was feeling, it could reveal things that are off limits right now. I can't talk about things because I signed a $750,000 non disclosure agreement that I am terrified to break! lol So, my close friends... like you Sophie cold never understand where I am in my life right now. I've had a ton of time to process what I went through and I'm still doing that. Now that the show is about to come out all kinds of pent up and almost forgotten feelings are coming back. It's been intense and scary to think about what is going to be shown. I am about to be judged by every person that sees the show and I’m preparing for that. There are already people that don't like me, and I have to tell you... I don't care:) Where I was while filming the show is a whole other story:) This experience not only taught me culinary skills, it pushed me to my limits mentally and emotionally. I am a stronger person because of it. I am definitely a different person because of it.
All my life I've kind of liked that I didn't know how to cook. I never had to cook and I thought I was getting away with something. But, as time passed I started gaining weight and I was realizing all the bad habits I was passing to Lala and Gabe. That is when I realized that I needed to do something. So when I saw the posting for auditions on craigslist I thought... ha, that could work. And that's it. I went in for 2 in person auditions and then a few months later BAM, you're going to NY to learn to cook! Haha, I was like WOW, what the hell am I getting myself in to! I arrived in NYC and got in a cab, and as I went through the city couldn't believe that this was really happening. People don't get to do things like this, even people that LIVE to cook don't get to go to NYC and get to train with some of the top chefs in the nation. Right then is when I knew this was going to change my life.
When the show started I wanted to be the best. I am super competitive, but after a while I realized this show wasn't about that... haha because nobody was the best! So it was really hard for me to get over that. When I got home, I was like... OMG, did this really happen? I started regreting so many things, and wishing that I could do it all over again.
Once I got home and started cooking, it was like a fire was lit inside me. Food tasted different, haha or maybe I should say I actually tasted it! I wasn't eating because I was bored or because I had a bad day, I was eating because I wanted to experience the flavors and smells and practice my cuts and keep all that I learned fresh in my head! I had a new relationship with food! I couldn't get enough of it. I am to the point where I can't wait for 3pm, because I want to get started! I stated using fresh herbs and experimenting, it was so much fun!
Then I started losing weight. This was insane to me. I was actually doing what I said I wanted to do! So I went in to see my Dr and talked about calories and what I could do to get healthier. Then I met Jamie in Sept and started working out! From there it just was like a title wave! 34 lbs later I like how I feel and how I've got here. I don't want it to ever end. This is my life now, I love to cook. I also really want to help other people see that cooking can be easy.
I am an artist first and foremost! I love to act, and I LOVE to write, paint, sculpt and draw. I don't care what my canvas is, I don't care what my tools are, or what medium I have to work with, I love it all. I have passion for creation and expression. I think that's also why this career makes so much sense to me.
Finally, there is a personal reason why I want to pursue this as a career... and that's because of my Aunt Helen Hostettler. Helen was my friend, confidant, and teacher. All my life I have been compared to her, and told that I remind people of her. We're both sassy, ambitious and lovers of art. When I was little, Helen gave my parents money for me to go to art class, she saw a drawing I made as a kid and wanted me to stick with it. I didn't until years later when I moved to CA. When I got there she encouraged me to get back in to it and I started to, slowly. I remember her critiques, she really looked at them and gave me feedback.
I laugh now, because at that time I didn't realize that she knew what she was talking about. I never saw Helen as an artist... untill I was on this show. I was talking to Chef Beau one day and I told him I was an artist... he said, "So am I". I looked at him and then it hit me. The plate was my canvas and the food was my paint, the knives were my brushes... OMG, this WAS art! The more and more I learned, the better I understood what i was learning. And the more and more I wished that I could hug my Aunt and tell her that I was sorry for ever doubting her creative eye!

Helen always wanted me to succeed, no matter how insane my idea... she would help me figure out how to go about obtaining what I wanted. Jan 2006, both my Uncle Bernie and Aunt Helen died in a car accident while driving to Las Vegas, NV. I was devastated at the time, but NOTHING could have prepared me for the longing I feel now. I wish I could tell her all the things that I have done and doing...

Helen was a cook. She traveled around Italy and learned how to make pasta. She started a business from her home, and sold it to local grocery stores. Soon the demand was so big that she was able to open a cafe type shop... and eventually she opened a factory! Helen became a self made millionaire by following her passion for pasta! She loved food, and became known for her confidence in the kitchen. Helen retired in the 90's because things got to big... she wanted to have her hand in the creation of her work from start to finish, and soon things just became too much and she sold her shop and closed the factory. She made her dream a reality, so she understood my passion... she was an artist too.

I cannot tell you how much I miss her, but when I cook... I feel here all around me. She's with me in the kitchen. I want be successful to honor her memory. Helen is a part of every meal. I can almost hear her telling me stop as I start getting out of control and too creative! haha... It might be all in my head, but even if it is... it's all I have left

 Aunt Helen and Uncle Bernie Hostettler

XOXO

It's started... but am I ready?

Wow! The last week has been interesting. I've been googling myself to see what people are saying. I know I shouldn't look at the bad, but I feel the need to look so that I know what is out there and that I can handle it. I'm not famous or a celebrity by any means, but I seem to make people mad with my self promotion...Can't a person be excited? I never thought I'd get the reactions that I have got. I just want to get the word out, so that people check out the show. So I want to take a minute and apologize to all that have been negative:
I am so sorry if I come off wrong. I am a good person, and a loving and compassionate person. I am passionate about my ambitions and I don't hold back when I want something. I hope that you can look past the self promotion and see the me that I know you'll love! Please, before you hate, give me a chance. You might be surprised:)
STAGING AT:
 FRUITION
1313 E 6th Ave
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 831-1962
http://www.fruitionrestaurant.com/
It was sooo much fun! I wish I would have thought about taking pics:) The day started off prepping for the evenings dishes! I worked mainly with salad, soup and dessert prep!
I started the day by thinly slicing red and yellow onions! I wasn't on my best game at the very beginning, but as I got in the grove it all came back to me! The onions were for the French onion soup! We added some seasonings and then let the onions sweat and caramelize! Then I fine diced a shallot and KILLED IT! haha... next it was on to perfecting the hazelnut vinaigrette dressing. After that I helped make the "family dinner salad"! Then we sat down and ate some AWESOME homemade chilly, my salad and brownies!
Then it was time to get to business! I peeled red peppers and then it was time watch the masters at work! I watched as plate after plate went out... each was carefully constructed and it was like watching and artist paint a picture! Before I knew it hours had passed and it was time to go! I have to admit I was a little bummed out, but then again... I hadn't seen my babies since that morning, so I was ready to get home:)
I learned that these guys are all artists and dedicated to their craft. Most want to own their own restaurants one day, and they all pretty much live in that kitchen. It's an amazingly dedicated lifestyle and if I didn't have my children I know that I would be a part of it. For now, I will get to be the weekend student, and soak up as much of thier greatness as I can. I can't wait to go back!
I also did a short interview with the Denver Post on Friday and it was in the today's (Sunday 12/13/09) paper! I was excited to see what was written. It was a nice little blurp and there was even a picture! I hope the people see this and want to watch the show and cheer me on!
I've been continuing the search for schools this week. I am having a hard time deciding what I want to be... other that an artist. And by artist I mean of all forms. I need a trade; I need a skill that will make me money so that I can do what I love. I've looked in to dental assisting, Respiratory Therapy, and even cosmetology. There is just one problem... all these schools start within the next month or so... and I don't know where I'll be in the next 6 months. I'm hoping that I can get some opportunities to do more cooking and maybe even work a little something with the food network... but who knows...
I'm a mother first and foremost; I need to be secure for my babies. What do I do... that's the current dilemma? Do I sign up for school at some trade college and commit a year or more of my life to my fallback plan? Or do I wait a few more months and see where this ride takes me...
I need to find out more about staging at different restaurants and maybe even working in a catering business and shadowing a personal chef? I don't know, there are so many avenues... I just don't want to pick the wrong thing... like that dream I had in the last blog... my head and heart are disconnected.
I'm going to just stop worrying and leave it up to the big guy/gal upstairs :)
Thanks for reading,
xoxox

Sophia

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

I was walking in to this strip mall store... when I walked in I realized it was a bank... and then as I was realizing where I was, I looked at the people's faces in the room... and they were terrified.  Then this man with dreads turn towards me and I realize he has a gun... my movement startles him and he just shoots.  He didn't aim he didn't say a word.  His eyes were filled with desperation and as fast as I heard the shot I felt warmth running down my neck.  I knew I was shot.  I held my throat and everything began to slow down.  I couldn't hear anything but my own breathing.  It was so loud... it slowed with each inhale.  I knew that if I passed out I may not wake up... so I started to accept my fate.  I knew that I was going to die.  I must have fallen to the floor by this time because as I try to keep breathing and keep my eyes open and fight the impending darkness that is taking over... I want to cry, but I can't.  I can't speak... I can't cry I can't move.  Then it's black... I wait and all of a sudden I feel like I'm in a vaccum and BAM!  My eyes open.  I'm awake... it was a dream.

I looked up what this could mean and I found out that it symbolizes disconnection from head and heart.  The gun shot signifies struggle with emotions... haha it's so right on!  I've been dealing with some TOTALLY un-needed drama with school... ART class of all things.  I can't believe that the class that was supposed to save me, was apart of the plan to tear me down.  OKay, there wasn't a plan, but I just never expected it.  It's such a long story I don't want to go in to it, but what I do want to say is that I am glad that it's over and I am MORE than ready to move forward with my life and it's completely soured my passion for studio art! HA

In other news, I have been having the greatest time watching the videos on the Food Network website!  It's like re-living the whole expirience with highlights on the fun parts:)  If you haven't seen the site recently check it out!  They have audition tapes up!  Lala steals the show!  I can't believe it was only a ear ago she was that little!  Gabe was only 6 months!  Wow, times flies.  Here's the site link!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/worst-cooks-in-america/index.html

I'm excited to tell you, that tomorrow I will be staging at FRUITION in down town Denver on Monday.  If you don't know what staging means, it's when you work with chef or restaurant to learn new techniques and cuisine.  FRUITION is owned by chef Alex Seidel and he is a young guy who really has it put together.  I loved his attitude, he's not about fame or fortuen, he's just about the food.  He was completely open to give me the opportunity to learn, as long as I was willing to step up and take it!  So, I am!  I will have my first day of staging on Monday!  With hopefully more days to come!

Working out with Jamie Atlas has been going well, he's such sincerely genuine person.  I am so thankful that I met him.  My friend Nichol has come with me this last week, and it was fun!  I had fun seeing where I was in comparison to another person that I wasn't intimidated by.  Nichol is really nice and was a great support! So, I just have to keep on the ball, cause Jan 3rd is coming up quick! 

OMG! Gabe just took off his diaper and it's full of POOPOOOO! Time to start potty training! lol  Back to being a Mom!

Thanks for reading:)
Sophia

Overwhelmed and Overheated=Space Cadet Fifi

Wow, so I'm on the ride of my life.  All of a sudden I went from good at nothing, to... well I THINK I might be getting some recognitions for my art work!

It's been a hell of a few weeks!  I can't seem to stop the tears, and I want to! I really am completely emotionally exhausted.  My art pieces that I have worked on for the entire semester have been destroyed... by me.  Well kinda... it's a long story but in short, I was treated unfairly by being the insuspecting loser on a deal that I didn't have any control over.  Now it's all fixed because I made a big stink and I have to stop being stubburn and be satistfied even though I am sooo ready to just move on. Can we say DRAMA... haha that should be my middle name! 

I'm still trying to work around some red tape in the realm of tvland and hope that I am taken as seriously there as I am in my art classes:)  But of course I am not expecting anything... just waiting and trying to be patient.  I'm not good at patience.  So this is a big challenge.  A challenge I thought was over more than a year ago, but now I see due to contractual agreements I am owned for another year... alas I hope they like me and let me work more... 

I've been going around town looking for a school.  I want to do culinary arts, but I also want to have somthing else in the mix so that I can have good job opportunity just in case things don't work out the way I hope.  They say you should never have a plan to fall back on when you're aspiring to be apart of any arts related industry... cause you'll fall back... but I have kids and a family... I need to feel like I have  covered all my bases covered.  I need to be and feel like I am a good, put together Mom.

Weight loss wise, things have hit another wall and I'm dying inside!  I'm addicted to the feeling of losing the weight!  I have to fine tune things so that I can keep the momentum!

Well that's all for now!  Untill next time!
XOXO
Sophia Ayala Gettys

I never knew this is what I'd do it kinda just fell in my lap...

Hey all!
My name is Sophia Ayala Gettys! I'm a 29 year old mother of 2! I am an aspiring actress/artist/writer and CHEF! Okay so I'm officially tell you that I'm on Food Network's WORST COOKS IN AMERICA! I'm so excited to see what comes from this AMAZING opportunity!

WORST COOKS PREMIERS

JAN 3 2010 @ 10 PM EST

Click on the link below for teaser!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/worst-cooks-in-america/index.html

I want to cook! I want to get back in a kitchen with fresh proteins and veggies with bright beautiful colors and CREATE! It's been so LONG! that I have had to keep this all a secret and I can't believe it's almost here!

I've been sitting in front of this computer for days working as hard as I can to promote myself and the show... who knows if that 1 person who could change my life will watch it and my dreams of success will become a reality!

I have always wanted to be an actress... well I've always loved performance. At about 5 I remember telling my Mom that I wanted to meet every person on this earth. My Mom said that I could never do that, because there are so many people in this world I would die before I would meet EVERY person... let along the millions of new people born everyday! I didn't care about why I couldn't, my mind started thinking of how I could make it happen.

My little mind was concocting a plan to get the media involved and make it happen! That's just the way I think... I always think BIG... I always draw big, sculpt big, I have a big personality and I am a big woman... That's just who I am, and who I always will be.
I know I'll always be a PLUS SIZE DIVA, but I have started a new weight loss journey to be a healthier version of me. I enlisted the help of local Denver trainer Jamie Atlas and in the past 2 months I have lost almost 30 pounds with just DIET and EXERCISE! I would have never thought this would be possible with out surgery... but I'm doing it and there are no cuts or stitches needed! And if feels AMAZING! You can check out my Video Diary documenting my weight loss in youtube.com! Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/user/sophiagettys

I have always had this need to connect with people, anyone... I want to know them and for them to know me. I think that's why the arts are so interesting for me. In acting your showing emotion. You're connecting to a character and showing to the audience that you feel this emotion... and usually you're connecting to an emotion that you have felt. In drawing and painting and sculpting you can portray what you feel instead of writing words, and writing words is always another way... I like it too. But I never knew cooking could have the same effect.

Cooking is about all the senses! Taste, touch, smell, look, hearing! ALL OF THEM and it and you can tell your story with words in the menu, smells, colors, taste and presentation... and you don't have to be a professional for people to appreciate your work.... no gallery is needed... no stage. Just a hungry belly and bowl or plate. I never saw cooking as an art, but it's a more attainable art than I've ever known.

After learning all of this on Worst Cooks in America... I was on fire! I have prayed for God to lead me in the direction he wants me to go, and I got what I asked for, I just didn't realize it till recently... I had the opportunity to work with some of the best chefs in the world... and I have a relationship with a network that can combine both my passions... performance and cooking! I will have my own show one day... maybe not right away, but I am prepared to work as hard as I can for the rest of my life! It's cooking or acting... and with the success of either one I will sell my art:) It's a plan... not a realistic one but I'm putting it out there in to the universe:)

My Aunt Helen is one of my heroes... she was a self made millionaire and she did it by learning how to make homemade pasta from scratch! She traveled all around Italy to perfect her recipe and started selling it from her home first... and eventually to grocery stores until she was so successful she opened her own restaurant and pasta factory! Helen was ambitious and passionate and beautiful... and I can only hope that I will be blessed with the same success. If she was here now, I would be at her house learning the tricks of the trade... but she passed a few years ago. And after her passing I became a stronger and more focused woman. I want to dedicate my successes to her memory.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO
Sophia Ayala Gettys