The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) has launched a new campaign – called I’M IIBA – uplifting what we know to be the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area.
This week we’re featuring Tim, an immigrant from Melbourne, Australia.
I’M A CHEF
Growing up I had an early appreciation for cooking. My mother was blind, which encouraged me to assist in the kitchen from a younger age than many kids might. Her favorite dish to this day is a simple recipe from my seventh grade home economics class — toasted bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, topped with olives and basil.
Recognizing my passion for cooking, my football coach asked me to join Delaware North, a catering company where he was an executive chef. I quickly found my rhythm working 80-90-hour weeks during my high school summer break, developing a knack for hard work and a lifelong passion for cooking.
In Melbourne, I undertook my master’s in nutrition and dietetics where I was able to combine my knowledge of food with clinical health and well-being. I later diverted from the career path but never lost my passion for promoting health through culinary arts
I’M AN IMMIGRANT
In 2017, I met my future wife, Taylor, who was living in Australia from Florida. Our friendship and connection was a wonderful whirlwind, connecting through a shared love of food, wine and travel. I had never met anyone like her.
Months later Taylor learned that she was no longer able to stay in Australia, creating a difficult decision to say farewell or explore ways to continue our friendship by moving together to the United States. I came to the U.S. not certain of how long I would stay. My hopes were to understand what opportunities existed here in the health and nutrition sector but also to follow my heart.
Our lives and our relationship flourished in this magnificent country. Living and meeting friends together, and supporting each other’s growth, we grew closer and closer. Within a year, I knew I wanted to spend my life here in America. Leaving friends and family was extremely difficult, but nothing compared to the happiness of marrying my best friend and love of my life.
I’M A BUSINESS OWNER
Today, Taylor and I have a private chef business in Napa Valley. We create bespoke experiences for guests that are nutrition-focused and uniquely Australian-inspired. Our vibrant menus maintain a (mostly) healthy approach, drawing inspiration from Australia’s rich Mediterranean and Southeast Asian food culture. Our private dining seeks to broaden people’s curiosity of Australian cuisine while celebrating local produce, purveyors, and wine.
I love cooking in the woodfire oven when I have the opportunity. I cook everything from woodfired seafood and starters to blistered vegetables, hearty woodfired salads, whole fish, pasta, proteins, and dessert. Nothing transforms food like 800-1000 degrees Fahrenheit heat. It’s exciting and unique for clients. Open fire really takes food and cooking to the next level. I think that’s what Australian cuisine is — energetic and adventurous.
And yes, as recently as yesterday, I made my family barbecued shrimp. So maybe I should just embrace the whole …“throw another shrimp on the barbie” thing.
I’M IIBA
Five years into my immigration journey, a lot has happened. Through my two green card applications, change of government administrations, and COVID-related processing delays, Taylor and I were never certain whether my citizenship would even be possible.
It is a very daunting ordeal if you don’t have the right people around you — like IIBA — who are dedicated to this career. Immigration can be so stressful for so many people and their relationships and families, so you want that support network around you and an organization like IIBA to advocate for equal opportunities for those who dream of American citizenship.
From the outset and our initial discussion, the IIBA team reassured us that this legal access and advocacy work is what they stand for. IIBA truly represents the best interests of families and individuals, and they do everything they can to facilitate a seamless pathway to citizenship — our community is lucky to have them.
I’m uneasy thinking of families who are at the mercy of a changing administration, and how daunting the uncertainty can feel. I’m hopeful that services like IIBA will continue to exist, and I encourage individuals to get in touch with their team of attorneys to understand their rights and opportunities.