Six-month commute fuels young chef’s dream

For six months, Jerome Joseph Toroca woke each morning knowing he faced a daily commute from Lautoka to Nadi before stepping into the kitchen to pursue his dream.

The long journey tested the 20-year-old’s commitment, but he refused to give up.

Last Wednesday, his perseverance paid off when he graduated with a Certificate of Attainment in Advanced Culinary Skills from Fiji National University’s Namaka Campus in Nadi.

The youngest of four children of Ropate and Mere Toroca, Mr Toroca said cooking had become more than a passion; it had opened the door to future opportunities.

“I find cooking relaxing. It’s stress-relieving for me,” he said.

Originally from Nadali Village in Tailevu, with maternal links to Tagaqe Village in Nadroga, Mr Toroca now lives in Lautoka with his family.

He hopes to work overseas, saying chefs are in high demand.

“There are a lot of opportunities for chefs overseas. It’s easier to find work abroad through culinary programmes and cross-credit opportunities,” he said.

The daily commute was his biggest challenge.

“My biggest challenge was being on time because I travelled from Lautoka to Nadi every day,” he said.

Despite the early mornings, Mr Toroca said his father’s encouragement kept him motivated.

“My father is quite strict. He would wake me up every morning and keep encouraging me to go to school and achieve what I can while I’m still young,” he said.

Mr Toroca credits his aunt, a former executive chef at Air Terminal Services, with sparking his passion for cooking.

“Growing up, my aunty always prepared meals for us. She presented the food beautifully, in a fancy way, and that inspired me,” he said.

“She told me there would always be opportunities for chefs because people will always need to eat.”

Now qualified, Mr Toroca hopes his story inspires other young people.

“Follow your dreams. Nothing is impossible. Even I didn’t think I would complete the programme. When I first started, it wasn’t what I expected, but as I continued attending classes, I settled into the routine and began to enjoy the experience,” he said.