Meet Chayil, HelloFresh summer 2024 intern.
For Chayil H, food has always been more than a passion—it’s a fundamental part of her identity, deeply rooted in her Caribbean heritage and the vibrant flavors of her childhood in New York.
Her Caribbean Roots Inspired Her Love of Cooking
With a mother from Guyana and a father from Trinidad, Chayil grew up in a home where food wasn’t just about sitting for a meal but a celebration of culture and family. In her predominantly Caribbean community, the kitchen was a hub of tradition simmering with flavor. Cooking was a family affair—often with her grandmother and mother at the helm, stirring pots of curry chicken and rice and peas. After arriving home from school, Chayil was enveloped by the rich aromas wafting through the house, creating an irresistible pull towards the kitchen.
“It felt very natural for me,” Chayil reflects. “I found so much joy in cooking.”
Finding Her Path with the Food Education Fund
In New York City public schools, high schoolers have a unique opportunity to pursue specialized interests, like the culinary arts.
By chance, Chayil’s mother spotted a student wearing a uniform from Food and Finance High School (FFHS)—the city’s only public culinary high school—on the subway. She introduced the idea to her daughter, and after applying and getting accepted, Chayil was soon immersed in the world of culinary arts. She became deeply involved with The Food Education Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides additional support and funding to minority students at FFHS. Through the Food Education Fund, high school students are able to hone their skills and explore various aspects of the food industry with experiential learning, mentorship, and resources for culinary arts, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
Chayil wins the Colavita Culinary Challenge, earning a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to Italy.
“The Food Education Fund was the most impactful organization on the trajectory of my life within the culinary world and the hospitality world,” Chayil says. “We learned about how food goes beyond the four walls of a kitchen or stove, that there is so much more to it than what’s on the plate in front of you.”
One of her most memorable experiences with the Food Education Fund was participating in the Colavita Culinary Challenge. She and her partner were asked to create a dish using polenta, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and basil. On her second attempt at the cookoff, she crafted a winning dish, earning her a $2,500 scholarship and a week-long culinary excursion to Italy!
A Summer Internship at HelloFresh
Chayil and her fellow HelloFresh interns.
In March 2024, while speaking at a Food Education Fund event, Chayil’s culinary journey took an exciting turn. She met Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh North America, who encouraged her to apply for a summer internship with the company. Fast forward to that summer, Chayil found herself bringing together all of her passions—food, community, and advocating for spaces where people can be themselves.
As a HelloFresh intern, Chayil worked for our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) and Talent Management team. She jumped into meaningful projects that blended her love of food with her desire to create inclusive spaces. She worked with distribution center HR teams, conducted analyses on promotions and awards, and collaborated on company-wide engagement events all aimed at reducing bias and building inclusion.
“The internship provided exactly the learning experience I had hoped for and more,” she says. “The projects and the kindness of the people—it was fun and fulfilling.”
Our summer 2024 HelloFresh interns—serving up creativity and teamwork all season long.
Her Bright Future Ahead
After high school, Chayil faced a big decision. She was offered a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America; however, she instead chose a different path and decided to pursue hotel administration and hospitality management at Cornell University. While the curriculum focuses on business fundamentals, including finance and accounting, within the hotel and restaurant industries, it also encourages the ideation process of hospitality through experiential and collaborative classes.
Chayil savors the sweet taste of Italy with a gelato in hand.
“In order for me to be successful and feel fulfilled, I need to be in close proximity to some sort of food in any way, because that’s very much where my heart is,” says Chayil.
Alongside her growing interest in human resources and inequality studies, she continues to dream of owning her own bakery or café, one that’s attached to a teaching center where the next generation of culinary talent can be mentored. She particularly wants to focus on young talent from communities of color who don’t often have access to leadership roles in the industry. And the signature baked good of the café? Toasted walnut chocolate chip cookies—a recipe she’s perfected over the years.
“I love seeing the smile on people’s faces when they eat a sweet treat,” she adds.
Thank you to Chayil for sharing her passion and enthusiasm with the HelloFresh team. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next. Learn more about career opportunities with HelloFresh by visiting our careers page.
