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Community Corner

Kirkland Teen Chef Earns Award for Community Service

James Donald Anderson developed a passion for cooking at a young age, and received the Kirkland Arts Center's Jodi Bardinelli Award for donating his skills to raise money for church programs.

Name, age: James Donald Anderson, 18.

School and Neighborhood: A Senior at , James recently moved from Kirkland to the Avondale Road area.

Accomplishments: A talented chef, James last Saturday received the ’s first-ever Jodi Bardinelli Award in recognition of his community service.

Through his church, James has auctioned off his cooking skills several times, helping to raise money for church programs. James went to the winners' homes to prepare four-course meals. Winners have included members of the local Rotary Club and the League of Women Voters.

The award included a cash prize of $500, which James has added to his college fund. He was nominated for the award by his boss at . He was happily surprised to hear of the nomination. “I found it really cool,” he said.

He was even more surprised when he won. “I was astonished.”

Key to awesomeness: Growing up, James didn't get lots of regular home-cooked meals. Then, when he was about 10 or 11, he decided that if he wanted a nice meal at home, he was going to have to learn to cook for himself. He quickly developed a passion for cooking and began to experiment with different recipes. 

“I just got a real satisfaction out of doing it,” he said.

Wanting to learn more, James began to reach out to local restaurants when he was 11. Too young to officially work, he just hung out in kitchens and absorbed all the information he could.

“It was a thrill for me.”

James also poured himself into independent research, reading cookbooks and watching cooking shows. He prefers French-Mediterranean cuisine. 

Currently an Honor Student, James plans to study business at the U.W. Bothell campus, then move on to culinary school. He hopes to eventually open his own restaurant. He knows that’s not going to happen any time soon, though.

“I’ve got a long road ahead of me,” he said. "My top priority right now is education.”

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