Growing up in Camden, Abu developed a love for cooking alongside his mother and sister. He never imagined cooking could become a career. But when he began selling sandwiches from his car to earn extra cash, word spread and customers kept coming back. He realized maybe he could pursue this passion and cook professionally.
The death of his mother, alongside receiving a heart disease diagnosis, inspired him to dig deep. He leaned on his sister and aunt for support and encouragement. Around the same time, a family friend, who had completed the Culinary Arts Training program herself, encouraged him to apply. Looking back, Abu says the program transformed more than just his culinary skills.
“CK not only taught me to be a better cook, but to be a better human.” He credits much of his growth throughout the program to Executive Chef Nai Rutling’s mentorship.
“You only meet a few people like Chef Nai in your life. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I was supposed to meet her, and this program, when I did. It’s not just a school. It’s a community. It’s a family.”
Since graduating from our CAT program, Abu has been working two jobs focused on youth education and supporting children with special needs while building his own catering business, Chef Bu’s Catering. Specializing in tacos and empanadas, he hosts pop-up events at Macy’s in Cherry Hill, Voices of Power in Philadelphia, and local farmers markets throughout the region. We were thrilled to offer his delicious catering alongside three other CAT graduates at our 50th Anniversary Block Party in June.
In his work outside the culinary field, Abu still finds a way to cook for people.
“I cook at the group home where I work. The kids watch me make recipes for my cooking videos, and sometimes I’ll test out a new dish by making it for dinner. They’re always willing to give me honest feedback. And if I’m trying something new or I’m especially proud of a dish, I always bring it back for Chef Nai to taste.”
As he continues building his catering business, Abu is happy to spend his time doing rewarding work with these kids even though his long-term goal is to buy a storefront and cater full time. “At this point, I’m almost a father figure to some of these kids. I’ve been with them for years and they get excited to see me.”
We are proud and humbled to support the growth and ingenuity of CAT graduates like Abu and are excited to see where his culinary work leads him next.
