Beyond the Scholarship: How Mentorship Continues to Shape Jasmine Martinez’s Journey
A scholarship can open a door. The right mentor can change the course of a life. For Aarón Sánchez Scholarship alum Jasmine Martinez, the combination has led from homelessness at 17 to Michelin-starred kitchens, leadership roles in acclaimed restaurants, and professional opportunities spanning New York City to Copenhagen, Denmark.
The journey between those two realities is remarkable, and according to Jasmine, it began with one simple decision: taking a chance on herself.
“My first kitchen job was at Applebee’s,” she recalled. “I just kind of fell in love with the chaos.”
What started as a job quickly became a passion. Jasmine worked tirelessly, learning the pace, discipline, and teamwork required in professional kitchens. She later joined a local restaurant where a chef mentor recognized her potential and gave her the opportunity to grow creatively by helping to develop menus, source ingredients from local farmers markets, and gain confidence in her abilities.
Still, Jasmine knew she wanted more.
Then one day, while scrolling through Instagram, she saw a scholarship opportunity from Chef Aarón Sánchez through the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund.
“I applied and thought, ‘Why not? Let’s see what happens,'” she said.
Her leap of faith opened the door to opportunities she had long dreamed about.
As a member of the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Class of 2022, Jasmine relocated to New York City to attend the Institute of Culinary Education. The Scholarship provided full tuition, housing, transportation, and a monthly grocery stipend, allowing her to focus on her education and professional development. Recipients also receive hands-on training and mentorship from Chef Aarón and other industry professionals, creating a support system that continues beyond the classroom.
After completing culinary school and an externship at JoJo by Jean-Georges, Jasmine quickly advanced in her career, earning a promotion to sous chef within a year.
While the Scholarship helped launch her culinary education, the relationships she built continued long after graduation. Jasmine has remained actively connected to the program and its network. She has participated in Emeril Lagasse Foundation events in New Orleans, traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak in honor of Chef Aarón, and stayed connected with mentors and fellow scholars throughout her career journey.
“The mentorship really never stops when school is over,” she said. “That’s what I think makes the program very unique.”
Relationships formed through these experiences continued to support Jasmine as she pursued new opportunities, including a prestigious Ment’or grant that allowed her to spend two months training at Jordnær, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Today, Jasmine is working as a private chef while exploring her next chapter and searching for her next professional home.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has continued to push herself toward new opportunities, from leading kitchens in New York City to training in Michelin-starred restaurants abroad. Her advice for future scholarship applicants is simple:
“We only live life once. Go for it. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Jasmine’s story reflects the power of pairing talent, determination, and hard work with meaningful opportunity. Through the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship and ongoing mentorship with Chef Aarón and other culinary role models, she has built on her foundation, expanded her possibilities, and continues pursuing her goals at the highest levels of the culinary industry.
