Best Teen Chef 2008 Local Finalists - Philadelphia
Nathaniel Toepke
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia’s Best Teen Chef 2008
Nathaniel Toepke is pretty confident about his future as a chef. “Wait ten years,” the Lorton, VA teen says, “I’ll be on the cover of Food & Wine Magazine!”
He’s already come a long way since he first became interested in cooking at age 14. Toepke is a senior at South County Secondary in Lorton, VA, but it’s when he is cooking at his special career program in culinary at Edison High School that he feels he can really focus. “Everything else is floating away when I cook. It is really a stress reliever.”
His culinary teacher at Edison, Chef Cynthia Stowers, is a former instructor at The Art Institute of Washington. He credits her for instilling in her students a sense of professionalism in the kitchen.
He reads the Washington Post food section every week, and watches the Food Network, especially Bobby Flay’s show, “Boy Meets Grill” and “Everything Italian.” In his free time, Toepke is an expediter at local restaurant, Glory Days Grill, in Burke,VA, a position he worked his way up to over a number of years.
After graduating from The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Toepke plans to spend at least five years in Greece, using it as a base to explore all of Europe and its traditional cuisines.
Toepke enjoys the support of both of his parents in his career choice. “My dad is really proud and has been a huge support, and my mom really respects what I do,” he says.
Maybe it has something to do with an opportunity for his folks to enjoy what he calls his “signature dish” -- chicken breast wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey, served with jasmine rice and vegetables.