Junior Mahr has a new recipe for his future

By Ava Van’t Hof

Staff Writer

From crafting experimental dishes to cooking for customers at North Italia, junior Duke Mahr does it all when it comes to culinary art.

Mahr began cooking at five years old, but it was not until age 10 that his passion for cooking became serious. Mahr said that he started cooking because he loves food and found it fun to experiment with different flavors and cuisines.     

“Initially, cooking was just a fun activity I would do,” Mahr said. “Now with a job, cooking has become a sport, and I spend my time perfecting my technique.”

Since age 13, Mahr has worked as a chef at Toomey’s, a restaurant in Mammoth Lakes, in summers and winters. Mahr said that after this work experience, he was compelled to find a permanent  job. Mahr is now employed at North Italia in El Segundo.

“We were looking for people with incredible passion for food, and Duke fulfilled this desire,” Mahr’s boss at North Italia, Sammy Sleeman, said. “It’s a hard industry to work in and takes a special kind of person to be successful.”

Currently, Mahr works at North Italia on Sunday and Monday nights from 4 to 8 p.m., as he had to cut down on some hours due to the demand of his school work. In the summer season, Mahr generally works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

“Working on school nights encourages time management, responsibility and discipline,” Duke Mahr’s mother, Debbie Mahr, said. “Balancing work and school has taught Duke invaluable  life skills. We expect him to keep his grades up and be a good citizen.”

Duke Mahr said that he loves working and has made many new friends as a chef. Duke Mahr was hired at North Italia initially as a pasta chef, but because of the hours he has had to cut down, currently he is mainly working as a regular preparation worker, meaning he cuts meats, fruits and vegetables for the chef, and occasionally he works as a pasta chef.

“I have never worked with someone so young,” co-worker Roberto Barajas said. “I’m very proud to work with Duke, and he always makes the shift fun for all of us. I know one day when he’s older he will become our boss.”

In the future, Duke Mahr plans on majoring in Hospitality Management at schools such as University of Denver or Michigan State University. Hospitality Management is a business major that focuses on hotels, resorts, restaurants and event planning. 

“I plan on staying close to the food industry,” Duke Mahr said. “I hope to always have cooking be a part of my life.”