Finding Community Far From Home: Justin Barajas Finds His Place at NOCHI
Leaving home to attend culinary school is a leap of faith. For Justin Barajas, it meant traveling across the country to enroll at NOCHI and discovering a community that would challenge, support, and ultimately celebrate him.
Choosing Distance and a Fresh Start
Justin came to NOCHI with intention. He wanted to break any bad habits he may have formed during his time working in kitchens and learn how to do things the right way.
“I wanted to show myself I could do this on my own,” he says. “I needed structure and discipline. When the opportunity to come to New Orleans came up, it felt like the right move.”
That decision brought him to a new city and into a community that quickly felt like home.
Immersed From Day One
Justin thrived in NOCHI’s immersive environment, especially during the early days of the program.
“The first 25 days really stood out,” he shares. “I love learning all day, every day. Being pushed constantly keeps you focused.”
The intensity helped him grow quickly, even as he balanced school with professional kitchen work.
Rising to the Challenge
One of Justin’s biggest challenges was finding balance, particularly while working at Emeril’s during a historic moment, when the restaurant received two Michelin stars.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he says. “Demanding, but incredibly valuable.”
What surprised him most was how those opportunities came to him.
“I knew who Emeril was, but I didn’t know about the restaurant like that,” Justin explains. “NOCHI set it up. The connections I’ve made here have opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”
Community That Opens Doors
Coming to school across the country could have felt isolating, but Justin found support among classmates, instructors, and industry partners who believed in his potential.
After graduation, Justin plans to return to California to work at the country club that has supported his career, where he’ll continue building his skills through structured internships and long-term professional development.
“NOCHI helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect,” Justin says. “It showed me what’s possible when you commit and when you have a community behind you.”
Just before graduating, Justin received the Laurence Rua Scholarship, provided by Sodexo Live!. The scholarship honors a NOCHI student who demonstrates exceptional passion for advancing their career within New Orleans’ vibrant hospitality community and includes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a week-long training at the prestigious Lenôtre Culinary Arts School. Justin will travel to Paris in the fall of 2026 for an experience that underscores how far his commitment and growth at NOCHI have taken him
From crossing the country to finding his place in New Orleans’ culinary community (and soon, Paris) Justin Barajas’ story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities come when you’re willing to step far outside your comfort zone.
