Keith McNeal - The Road to Noma

                                THE ROAD TO NOMA

Hello friends and family.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been on Facebook, and my first time using GoFundMe. I’ve returned for one mission, and I need your help.  I’m here to humbly ask for your generosity and assistance in raising funds for a very, very special opportunity.  An opportunity that will present itself to me, only once in a lifetime. 

I’ve been extended the opportunity to train under one of the best chef’s in the world, Rene Redzepi, chef and owner of Restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark (2 Michelin Star, 5 time Best Restaurant in the World) in April (early spring) 2017.  Restaurant Noma receives thousands of applications for apprenticeship every year, and I’ve been chosen as only 1 in a handful of chefs afforded the opportunity in this year’s cohort of ambitious cooks. 

For some time now I’ve been working towards my undergraduate degree in sustainable culinary arts, agriculture, and food systems through Green Mountain College (an interdisciplinary program designed by myself).  It has been quite a journey.  I’ve immersed myself not only in culinary arts, but moved my family of four to Vermont to dive deeply into the world of agriculture and the conversations that surround our contemporary food systems.  I’ve looked at food through many lenses.  How do we impact our food systems, how do our food systems impact the way we live, and how is our relationship with ingredients changing over time?  My time spent at Restaurant Noma with Chef Rene will afford me an opportunity like no other opportunity can the chance to expand my studies further and to dive deeper into these questions.  These lessons will impact the way that I grow as a budding chef/farmer for a lifetime and shape the way I procure and present ingredients to the world throughout my career.

I’m not usually one to ask for help, even in the toughest moments.  From my time in the military through my transition into civilian life I’ve weathered a considerable amount of challenge.  There’s no sense in troubling you with a laundry list of obstacles (we all have them), and how I have overcome them.  This is a moment in time where I feel it necessary to humbly ask for your support. 

The apprenticeship is unpaid.   With that said, Copenhagen is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world.  Bringing a family of four half way across the world is going to be quite the undertaking, and exactly why I’m coming to you for assistance in making this dream a reality.

The contributions will not be spent living a life of luxury, and we don’t want those that do donate to think that we will be out on the town nightly living it up on your dollar.  The days in the kitchen will be long (to the tune of 14 hours +) and the money will be spent on no more than a place to lay our heads at night and simple life expenses that may arise along the way.

I will also be writing scholarship essays and grants along the way to help raise money, and any that are awarded will be added for your viewing to the GoFundMe goal I’ve set.  

If we do meet our goal and are able to make our trip happen any excess funds that are not used during the trip will donated to Farmaid.org.  Farm Aid fosters connections between farmers and eaters by growing and strengthening local and regional markets and working to get family farm food in urban neighborhoods, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and other public institutions; more information about the organization can be found by copy/pasting this link into your browser (https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/). 

If we do not meet our goal and aren’t able to make the trip happen I will reach out to folks who have contributed individually, and offer the opportunity for their contribution to be refunded, or charitably donated to farmaid.org. 

Upon my return from our time at Noma I will be continuing my graduate studies in sustainable food systems, and in doing so I will be putting together a collection of photographs, recipes, and ideas/thoughts on food.  I will make sure that everyone that donates will recieve a small token of my appreciation for their contribution and support.  Whether it be a photograph, or recipe card with a personalized message of thank you.

Again, thank you so much for your continued support and taking the time to read my story.  If you are able to contribute, please know that I will work tirelessly to soak up every lesson that I’m offered in my time at Restaurant Noma in Copenhagen.  Your contribution is a major step in making a major life goal of mine a reality (this is very much my World Series moment), and I’m endlessly honored that you believe in me enough to support my journey. 

***Dates for our journey to Noma were pushed a bit forward due to unforseen family circumstances.  Luckily we will be able to extend our campaign as a result giving us an even better opportunity to save alongside the donations.  Another positive note is that I'll be one of the first interns to work in the kitchen of the new Noma location.***


noma.dk
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