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After moving to Madison to teach, Andrehyu Allen found a new direction at Madison College, where a rekindled passion for cooking became a clear career path. While still a Culinary Arts student, Andrehyu stepped into a salaried restaurant leadership role, balancing classroom learning with the pace of a professional kitchen life. Now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in culinary management, Andrehyu aims to return to Madison College as a chef educator to help guide the next generation of culinary students.
What drew you to Madison, and how has the experience shaped you?
I moved here a few years ago as a teacher, but since I've lived here, I've had the opportunity to rekindle my love for the hospitality industry and pursue an education I've always wanted! Madison is also a lovely city—between NYC, Chicago and my hometown, this is the best place I've lived so far!
You’re already working in a salaried restaurant position before graduation—how did that opportunity come about?
Honestly, I don't know. I was lucky enough to have a job take a risk on me right before culinary school started. I've been in the service industry since 2020, but I had no management experience. But I have drive, a strong work ethic and determination!
What was it like balancing school while working in a professional kitchen?
I manage FOH (front of house) operations for restaurants and bars, as it's more where my niche and skill sets are, but it has been one of the biggest challenges of my professional or academic life thus far. From August of my first semester through April of my last semester, I could count my days off on two hands; it was rough, but rewarding. In that time, I've learned how to manage my time in a way I never knew I could, and learned how to pour myself into the education and career that I love!
Your plans include earning your bachelor’s and master’s degrees and eventually teaching. When did you realize teaching was a future goal?
I've always wanted to be an educator! I come from a background in early childhood education, and I hope to move to higher education after more comprehensive studies. I am beginning a bachelor's program in Culinary Management at SUNY Delhi in fall 2026.
What would it mean to return and teach the next generation of culinary arts students at Madison College?
The world. I’ve gained valuable experience in the hospitality industry, and I would love the opportunity to return to Madison College as an instructor. Sharing the knowledge, skills and experiences I’ve gained through my education and time in the industry with the next generation would be incredibly meaningful to me.
Is there a faculty member who inspired that goal?
Yes, Chef John Johnson had a big impact in guiding that decision for me. Beyond his experience, the way he disseminated information and guided us through learning new skill sets was paramount to my realization of how impactful one good education could be to an incoming college student.
What kind of chef do you hope to become—and what impact do you want to have on the culinary world?
I would love to become a pastry chef, but beyond that I would like to explore and highlight Nikkei, which is the cultural intersection between Japanese immigrants in Peru and the indigenous cuisine that already existed there. I would love to highlight a set of fusion cuisines that developed naturally and weren't created specifically for the sake of fusion.
Looking back, what moment at Madison College made you feel like you were on the right path?
The Denmark Dinner last spring semester gave me the opportunity to highlight the food I wanted to present and share my knowledge about it with a broad audience. It reminded me how much I love what I’m learning and what I get the opportunity to do. It also reinforced how much I hope to continue pursuing these opportunities in the future.
What else can you share about your Madison College experience?
It was a lovely experience on a great campus with an amazing community! The opportunities it opened up for me have been immeasurable, and I am grateful for my time there!
Profiles from the Pack spotlight employees, students and alums who make the Madison College community vibrant. Enjoy entertaining, informative, and inspirational Q&A profiles from WolfPack twice monthly.
