GUEST’S NAME: John-Michael CollinsCULINARY SCHOOL AFFILIATION: DC Central Kitchen, Washington, DCBIO: Chef John-Michael Collins was born in San Diego, CA and from his earliest memories growing up he can remember a life full of abuse, including physical, mental, and sexual. John-Michael tried to end his life at the age of 10 though thankfully his grandparents stepped in to rescue him from the foster system. Due to this traumatic upbringing, he never believed in himself, nor though he deserved anything good, which he believes is what set him up to make a lot of bad choices throughout the early parts of his life.These bad choices are what eventually caused him to end up in Federal Lockup for several years. While incarcerated, John-Michael ended up in the kitchen, starting in the dish room. However, he was a fast learner and quickly moved up the ranks to become the number two cook and the person who prepared the food for the officer’s mess dining room.Once released, he found himself at a halfway house in Washington, DC with suggestions to seek out and apply for formal culinary training at the DC Central Kitchen (DCCK). He eventually applied, was accepted, and ended up graduating. After completing his training, he accepted a multi-week internship at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, which eventually turned into full-time employment.Chef Collins still currently works for the Ritz Carlton as a cook one but is looking forward to the next step in his culinary journey as he applies for various sous chef positions within the Marriott Company. However, an even more important goal for John-Michael is to become a beacon of hope for those coming behind him, and to continue to give back to his community by bringing people together through the avenue of food.Email – jmcollinsdc@icloud.comFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnmichael.collins.940LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-michael-collins-61627a172/“Pineapple Academy" FREE Trial & Course Information Link - https://my.pineappleacademy.com/signup/business/?referral_id=H6UQTHIBPL6KT68FSign up for the Food Media Network email list / newsletter - https://chefroche.com/contactFree Culinary School Stories Recipe eBook: https://bit.ly/culinaryschoolrecipes“Introduction to Podcasting for the Hospitality Professional” course - https://chefroche.com/courses/RATINGS / REVIEW: If you enjoy this episode or the podcast overall, please consider leaving a short review and ratings on Apple Podcasts / iTunes if you have an iPhone or iPad. It takes less than 30 seconds, and it really makes a difference in spreading the word, getting new listeners and guests, as well as sponsors!To do so, click HERE and then scroll down to the “Ratings & Reviews”; tap the amount of stars you want to give; tap on “Write a Review”; create a headline; write your review; click “Send”. SPONSORSHIP / SUPPORT:If you like the show, this episode, and/or the video clips, why not show your support by buying us a cup or two of coffee to help defray some of the out-of-pocket expenses at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chefroche. We truly appreciate the gesture!Individuals can also donate through Patreon! Please support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/DrProfessorChef. If you contribute just the price of a cup of coffee a week, you will be helping to support the hosting, purchasing, creation and production of our episodes and shows that we produce and give away for free.Companies & Businesses interested in advertising or sponsoring the podcast, please contact us at: culinaryschoolstories@gmail.comABOUT THE SHOW: Culinary School Stories is a weekly podcast with engaging interviews that shares the stories of people from around the world that have an association with a culinary school in some way. Each episode we bring you the best stories from people around the food service world whose lives have been influenced, impacted, touched and/or enriched, for good or for bad, from their culinary school experience. And thi