HOUSTON — A Houston-based private chef is using his passion for baking to help others who want to follow in his footsteps.
"I want to change the world with my food one day," said chef Willie Holmes.
These days, Holmes' clientele list consists of celebrities and politicians, but it wasn't always that way.
"Within the first year of me trying to start a business, it failed and I ended up homeless," Holmes said.
Holmes said thanks to the helping hands of a few friends, he made it through those tough times. Now, he’s dedicated to paying it forward.
"When somebody opens up the door for me I’m trying to get everybody in. I put a footstool. I keep it open and say come on y'all we in there," he said.
To accomplish his goal, chef Willie created a competition called "The Masked Baker."
"What I’m trying to do is get as much notoriety for the bakers of color so they can be seen and appreciated for their hard work and awarded for the hard work," Holmes said.
Now in its fifth year, the competition has helped take the careers of bakers like Elaine Bailey to new heights.
"It has opened up a tremendous amount of doors," she said. "I have literally gone from home baker, to getting my food manager's license, to getting business insurance, to getting all my ducks in a row professionally."
Chef Willie is also helping to shape the future of Houston’s foodie scene through his Texas Baker’s Guild Award Foundation. This allows young students first-hand experience.
"Little kids who aspire to be a chef one day now they get to see it, experience it and be involved in it," Holmes said.
The foundation also provides culinary grants to several students.