A Q + A with Devon Henderson

#1: How was your transition from the CIA to restaurants? What are the major differences between the classroom and kitchen?

DH: My transition between classroom and real-life work was pretty easy, as I already had close to three years of experience before attending CIA. That being said, the quality of the restaurants that I've worked in has skyrocketed since attending and graduation. 

Before my time at the CIA I was working at places that felt more like a job, where it seemed like very few people had passion for what they were doing. That's not to say that the food wasn't good (everything was still mostly from scratch) it's that there were maybe only one or two other people who were really excited to be at work and to serve guests something special. Following my extern at Lilia in NYC, however, and now here in Napa, the tables have completely flipped; all of my colleagues are obsessed with putting out dishes to be proud of, and they love to come to work and do that.

The single biggest difference that I can personally identify between school and work is the sheer amount of different techniques, ingredients, and cultures you learn about during the short time at CIA. From Argentina and Brazil one week, to Central Europe the next, and to finish with Southeast Asia within the same month, you can’t get an experience like that outside of school.

#2: What has your favorite stage been? Any lessons or big takeaways from working with these teams? 

DH: My favorite stage so far has definitely been at The French Laundry, which I did, unknowingly at first, on the anniversary of Cameron's passing. It was such a full circle moment when I walked into that kitchen. 

I had done a couple stages at fine dining places previously, but TFL was an entirely different level. From seeing the front of house team dressed to the nines, to seeing the number of people it takes to run that place, to finally ending the night with the sous chefs writing the menu for the next day. It was insane the amount of pride and hard work that radiated from everyone there. 

#3: What kind of support have you received from being the first scholarship recipient? Any unexpected upsides?   

DH: Being the first recipient is kind of an odd feeling as I didn't exactly know what to expect. Only the mentors and the CIA provided initial details, so it’s been a very interesting journey as the scholarship has sort of evolved around my experience with it. 

From the addition of the stipend for extern, to being able to meet the Kostows and Tracie, as well as having a network available to reach out and talk to anytime, it's been absolutely amazing the amount of care and love and support everyone has thrown at both me and the scholarship. 

As for any "unexpected upsides" I certainly never imagined in my life that I would be out here living in Napa, and going to places like Ojai, even down to the people that I've met so far like Thomas Keller, William Bradley and Kevin Finch. Along with all the relationships I've formed with everyone throughout the Team Kostow group.

#4: What advice would you give up and coming students who may want to apply to the scholarship? Any words of wisdom to the next recipient?

DH: My first and most important piece of advice is: take any opportunity you can, grab it and don't let go. Because if you don't, it's near impossible to get again.

So, use anything and everything in your power to take advantage of this opportunity and everything that comes with it. Reach out and talk with the mentors, make sure you check in every so often, and be sure to cultivate great relationships with these people. The people involved in this scholarship are going to be able to take you wherever you want in this industry and beyond. But most of all, stay humble and don't forget to enjoy every second of it.