Young Chef’s Academy
By Karen Seelenbinder

“In my Grandmother’s home, every meal was an event,” explains Jill Jacobs owner of Young Chef’s Academy.  “According to my Italian Grandmother, I began cooking when I was six months old.  She put me in a Mapina, an Italian version of an apron, where I faced outward towards the food when she was preparing a meal.  So, she always said, I began cooking at six months.”
    
Jill was raised with her two sisters in a single parent home.  “My mom worked full time and went to school in the evening but she insisted we always eat together as a family.”  Every night after school, Jill and her sisters prepared dinner together under the supervision of their Grandmother.  “We built such a lasting relationship through this common bond of cooking.  Even now, with my sisters living in different states, different careers and interests, we still have cooking in common.” 
    
Jill’s Grandmother always taught her ‘if you cook with love, you will love to cook.’  And this is exactly what Jill teaches her students in Young Chef’s Academy. 
     
“Currently, one of my students, Faith, who is six years old, is battling terminal brain cancer and has been given less than six months to live.  Faith believes everyone should know how to cook, so her mom brings her when she is feeling well enough in a wheel chair ready to cook.”  Faith has been such an inspiration to Jill.  “Faith and her Mom have given themselves completely to God’s Plan. Faith has decided she is not going to give up. God is with her.  She is going to fight and while she is fighting, Faith wants to experience everything.” 
    
When Jill sees Faith’s excitement about cooking, she knows she is doing something worthwhile.  Every child that walks through those doors wants to learn how to cook.  Their excitement and passion for cooking generates such a fun energy that it is hard to believe acquaintances and business owners thought the concept was cute but there was no way it would be profitable.
    
Jill thought about Young Chef’s Academy for six months and finally told her Mom and Grandma that her gut was telling her to do this.  “My family said I had to go with my gut.  They know me well enough if I am passionate about something, the answer is yes.”
    
Young Chef’s Academy is a franchise that teaches children ages 3 to 17 how to cook.  Jill has birthday parties, weekly classes, summer camps, cooking workshops and she welcomes schools and scout groups to bring their classes for field trips.
    
If Jill needs help with an idea or something has broken down at the academy, she asks her grandfather what to do.  “I call my grandfather all the time.  I need someone to listen and walk me through the challenges. He is my business advisor, confidant and friend”
    
The employees who work for Jill are more than employees to her.  They are a part of the business and have a passion for cooking with children.  “I have so much fun with these kids.  It’s not work if you wake up and love it.  I would pay someone to let me do this.  These kids are a hoot.  I get so much information because when you cook you talk!” 
    
One little boy, William has been going to Jill’s class for a year.  His mother warned Jill he only liked hot dogs.  Jill told William, “I am going to make a deal with you, William. If you promise to take the tiniest taste of everything you make, I won’t bother you.”  William agreed and discovered he liked omelets!
    
“I’ve never been so passionate about anything in my life.  I am so happy. Reaping this personal reward is worth every financial risk I took. My friends tell me ‘what you have here is amazing.  Never give up.”
If you found this story interesting, informative, or inspiring, please let Jill Jacobs know:  Young Chef’s Academy, 614-933-9700; youngchefs@midohio.twcbc.com