Joseph Valentino, suffering from autism, could not even speak until the age of 5. For him, the dream of becoming a chef seemed impossible. But today at the age of 27, he is working as a cook at ‘Point Seven’ restaurant in Manhattan. Valentino’s journey was not easy. ‘I used to see myself as a burden,’ he says. After going through a period of rejection and depression, his career has now become the inspiration for a new initiative ‘Chefs on the Spectrum’. Its aim is to provide training to people suffering from autism to get the best dining jobs. Chef Franklin Baker, owner of Point Seven, says the program will solve two problems. Shortage of skilled labor in restaurants and high unemployment rates among adults with autism. The real risk, says Baker, is not in hiring them, but in ignoring their incredible talent. Experts believe that people suffering from autism can prove to be a boon in the kitchen. TACT’s Mark Fierro says they are extremely organized and follow strict safety protocols. If they are asked to make a certain cut of meat or vegetable, they will make it exactly the same every time. According to Keith Wargo, CEO of Autism Speaks, a few changes are necessary for these employees. Like taking direct work trials instead of interviews or installing LED bulbs instead of noisy fluorescent lights. Courtney Conin of Steps Company says that having maps and labels in the kitchen increases efficiency not only for autistic people, but for all employees. Valentino will now mentor others through ‘Chefs on the Spectrum’. He says, ‘My dream is to become an executive chef and I want to show that despite autism, one can reach the top.’ These special chefs are becoming the guarantee of 100% accuracy and zero accidents in the kitchen. According to research, autistic employees have an amazing ability to remember complex recipes and cooking steps. They understand the data and processes very closely. These employees strictly follow safety protocols and cleanliness rules, which reduces the chances of accidents in the kitchen. Their mind thinks ‘out of the box’. They can make connections between flavors and ingredients that normal people often don’t see. Their biggest strength is to catch even the smallest mistakes and keep the work organized.
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Youth suffering from autism are proving to be better chefs: ‘Chefs on the Spectrum’ initiative to tap the hidden potential in cooking jobs
