Learning Every Side of the Kitchen: Riley Chavez Bentley's NOCHI Experience

Some chefs choose a specialty. Riley Chavez Bentley chose to learn it all.

After graduating from the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute's (NOCHI) Culinary Arts program as an Aarón Sánchez Scholarship recipient, Riley returned to campus to complete the Baking & Pastry Arts program, graduating in Spring 2026. Her journey reflects a simple belief that has guided her from the beginning: knowledge is power.

For Riley, earning both certificates wasn't about collecting credentials, it was about becoming the most well-rounded chef she could be.

A Passion That Started Young

Riley's love for the culinary world began long before culinary school.

After graduating from high school, she entered the restaurant industry immediately, determined to gain experience while saving money for culinary school. Every shift brought her one step closer to her dream of formal culinary training.

That opportunity arrived in 2025 when she was awarded the prestigious Aarón Sánchez Scholarship, allowing her to attend NOCHI's Culinary Arts program. After completing the program, Riley knew there was still more to learn.

"I wanted to gain all the knowledge I could on both sides of the culinary industry," she says. "To fully immerse myself in all the knowledge NOCHI had to offer."

Returning for the Baking & Pastry Arts program felt like the natural next step.

Discovering a New Creative Outlet

Although Riley already had experience in professional kitchens, baking and pastry challenged her in entirely new ways.

The precision required was a dramatic shift from the fast-paced rhythm of savory cooking. Success depended on patience, accuracy, and trusting the process.

"The biggest challenge was not getting it right the first time," Riley says. "It's an exact science, and I had to reteach myself patience because I'm used to a fast-paced environment. Baking made me focus on the details."

That challenge became one of the program's greatest rewards.

Baking gave Riley an opportunity to reconnect with a creative side she hadn't explored in years.

"I've been able to tap into a creative side of myself that I haven't been able to express in a while," she says. "It had me excited again to create."

Learning to embrace the process instead of rushing toward the outcome helped her grow; not just as a baker, but as a chef.

Finding Joy in Bread

Like many Baking & Pastry Arts students, Riley entered the program expecting to enjoy desserts.

She didn't expect to fall in love with bread.

"I was surprised how much I loved making bread," she says. "I didn't think it'd be as interesting as it was."

The experience transformed something ordinary into something extraordinary.

"I found a love in creating something that so many people take for granted, something most people just buy at the store. It gave me a greater appreciation for the people who make it."

Through fermentation, technique, and repetition, Riley discovered that even the simplest foods require tremendous craftsmanship.

Building a Career Without Limits

With both Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts certificates in hand, Riley leaves NOCHI prepared for opportunities across the culinary world.

Her immediate plans include spending the summer working at The Pheasant in Cape Cod before continuing to travel and gain experience in exceptional kitchens around the country.

Each kitchen represents another opportunity to learn, grow, and refine her craft.

Looking even further ahead, Riley hopes to come full circle.

One day, she wants to teach the next generation of chefs.

Her journey has shown firsthand how transformative mentorship and education can be, and she hopes to pass that knowledge on to future culinary professionals.

A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

Riley's story demonstrates that culinary education doesn't end after one program.

By completing both Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts at NOCHI, she built a foundation that allows her to move confidently between savory and pastry kitchens while continuing to grow throughout her career.

Her willingness to challenge herself, embrace patience, and keep learning reflects the mindset shared by many of today's most successful chefs.

For Riley, graduation isn't the finish line.

It's simply the beginning of the next lesson.