Shawn Pillai sits down with a quiet repose and friendly smile as he offers his hand in introduction. His dark hair and eyes match his dark, well-trimmed beard. Shawn is part of a new group of students - the new non-traditional student. Most traditional students enter college immediately after high school, graduate and seek a career. For non-traditional students, getting an education can take different turns. Initially enrolled as an English major, because he enjoyed writing, Shawn found he "liked cooking more" and wanted to explore the field. He left FSU to obtain a two-year degree in Hospitality and Tourism from Potomac State University and is currently working at Rocky Gap Lodge. http://www.rockygapresort.com/. He has now returned to finish his degree in English because he "found that to move up in management in a culinary career, you need a four-year degree".
Shawn's goal is to combine the two disciplines of cooking and English. He is interested in using the Internet to communicate do-it-yourself information about cooking that would include segments on traveling and eating. When asked what his favorite food is, he quickly replies, "The simplest food is the best food. An example is Saltimbocca, a classic Italian dish that literally means jump in your mouth. Made with thinly pounded chicken or pork layered with prosciutto, it is pan seared and served with a sauce created by deglazing the pan with port wine and stock". Shawn also enjoys creative writing and reading science fiction. When asked what he would cook as a science fiction meal he answered, "I would probably pan sear a deep sea critter, such as an angler fish".
But, even more quickly does he talk about his three-year-old daughter, Jacqueline. He enjoys reading to her and cooking for her, and often creates a story to get her to eat non-favorite items such as meat. Stories might include broccoli disguised as dinosaur trees or goldfish pasta shells and an octopus hot dog. When asked how to make an octopus hot dog he says, "You cut strips into the hot dog creating the tentacles and leave one end un-cut for the head". Jacqueline is the reason he is staying in this area to complete his education. Like so many new, non-traditional students, Shawn is seeking to successfully combine his educational goals with his personal life.
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