March 10, 2022
Genevieve Presents “A Chef’s Life”
An individual we serve has a terrific new food blog!
For as long as she can remember, Genevieve has held a deep love of food and a passion for cooking. She is now sharing this love with the entire world through a new blog, “A Chef’s Life by Genevieve.”
“My inspiration is my mom and sister, Lauren,” says Genevieve. “They taught me how to cook and took me to some of my favorite restaurants.”
Genevieve’s family helped her set up the blog site, where she shares recipes, restaurant reviews, and more. Some of her most recent recipes include firecracker shrimp and fettucine with vodka sauce. The blog features photos of Genevieve making these delicious dishes and recommendations for fellow cooks who wish to imitate her meals.
Restaurant reviews on the blog include star ratings, pictures of full plates, and notes about the atmosphere. Genevieve enjoys a wide variety of cuisines in the Western New York area, with a particular love for Indian, Mexican, Italian, and Greek food. Currently, her favorite restaurant is India Gate in Buffalo, where she recommends the Chicken Palak.
“I am happy to show exactly who I am through my blog,” says Genevieve. “I am a woman with Down syndrome and I want to be heard. I want people to be themselves and be inspired.”
For more than six years, Genevieve has worked with Jennifer Schaub, a Care Coordinator at Person Centered Services. Jennifer helps connect Genevieve to the programs she loves, locating funding sources and identifying new opportunities.
“Working with Jennifer is an amazing thing – we have a great connection,” says Genevieve. “She’s unique and incredible!”
Currently, Jennifer is securing self-directed services for Genevieve, promoting her goal to live independently. Through Jennifer’s help, Genevieve receives job coaching from ACCES-VR and plans to work at the Original Pancake House.
Genevieve has maintained an active academic life with full support from Jennifer. She earned a certificate from Canisius College’s Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) Vocation Program in 2017. Jennifer stayed connected to Genevieve when she then attended the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. While there, Genevieve gained a taste of independent living by dorming through an On-Campus Transition program.
Most recently, Genevieve was awarded a General Skills and Achievement Credential with a concentration in culinary from Mercyhurst University. Her educational experiences have contributed to her love of writing, which she now showcases through her blog.
Genevieve also applies her many talents to her community by volunteering. At Hearts for the Homeless, she helps a chef prepare sandwiches, side dishes, and casseroles to feed the local homeless community. She also has past culinary experience at Bella Vista Ristorante and Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant, which has inspired her writing.
“It’s been wonderful working with Genevieve,” says Jennifer. “She’s come a long way since I started. It is so great watching her grow. She has been talking about having a food blog as long as I have known her. Now she is making her dream happen.”
You can subscribe to “A Chef’s Life” to receive updates about new posts from Genevieve. View her latest writing now at https://achefslifebygenevieve.com.