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When Jeremiah Thomas first stepped into a high school culinary classroom at Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, he discovered more than a passion for cooking—he found a pathway to a career.

Today, the Louisiana ProStart alumnus is pursuing that dream at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), where he recently helped lead and design the menu for Deux Fuegos, a student-run pop-up restaurant that blends Mexican and Creole culinary traditions.

Thomas's culinary foundation was built through Louisiana ProStart, the LRA Education Foundation's statewide curriculum, which is offered in more than 70 high schools and prepares students for careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. As a student competitor, he excelled in culinary competitions, earning a gold medal at a local competition that advanced him to the national stage, where he placed second in a pantry challenge featuring top student chefs from across the country.

"My culinary career started in high school," Thomas said in a recent interview with Gambit. "My sophomore year I was exposed to ProStart, which is a Louisiana-based high school culinary competition. I ran the culinary and hospitality teams for my school."

His success in ProStart opened doors to scholarship opportunities and industry connections, including support from Chef Edgar "Dook" Chase IV, who sponsored Thomas's trip to a national competition.

At NOCHI, Thomas has continued to build on those experiences. As one of the student leaders behind Deux Fuegos, he helped create a menu inspired by his California upbringing, Louisiana roots and the culinary techniques he has developed throughout his education. Dishes such as horchata bread pudding reflect both family traditions and creative innovation.

"My grandmother would make bread pudding at church for Sunday dinner," Thomas said. "Growing up in California, the Mexican street food scene is very big. I had a vision of putting the two together."

Today, Thomas is completing his externship at Emeril's and hopes to continue working in fine dining while pursuing his long-term goal of opening his own restaurant.

His story is a powerful example of the impact ProStart can have on students across Louisiana. Through classroom instruction, mentorship, industry engagement and culinary competitions, ProStart helps students discover career opportunities and develop the skills needed to succeed in the hospitality industry.

The LRA Education Foundation is proud to celebrate Jeremiah's accomplishments and looks forward to watching his culinary career continue to grow.