Overactive and hyper as a child, Claire Robbins’ parents found it hard to get her to settle down. There was only one thing that got her attention—the Food Network.
“That was what inspired me to love cooking and start my journey in cooking,” said the Rowan College at Burlington County Culinary Arts graduate. “I just love the idea that there’s so many things you can do with food… that food can bring people together.”
When she first came to RCBC to study cooking, Robbins, who is legally blind, faced a new kitchen setup in a way she was not familiar with. Additionally, while she is used to using appliances with accessibility features, the microwaves and stoves in the Culinary Arts Center’s kitchens, for example, did not have larger print or tactile dots to help.
Robbins worked with the college’s Office of Student Support, which assists students with disabilities, an agency named the Commission for the Blind, and RCBC instructors, including Culinary Arts Director Chef Desmond Keefe, to make the kitchen as accessible as possible for her and other students’ convenience.
“It’s helped me not only succeed in these classes, but find my way in a kitchen,” Robbins said. “It’s a professional kitchen, so not only is safety a big priority, but also being able to find things without having to rely on other people, being able to just be independent, is really important.”
When things got tough, Robbins stayed strong with a particular mantra.
“Taking a step back and remembering that it’s just a moment and that I know I’m not the only one who’s struggling [helped me keep going],” Robbins said. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help… It helped me to overcome my fears, especially with having a disability and being in these classes, being different from everyone. It definitely helped me where I am today now, to graduate.”
A spring 2025 graduate, Robbins earned the “Heart and Soul Award” certificate upon completing her studies for her dedication to the craft of cooking. Her advice for other students to succeed?
“Be your own advocate. Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask for help,” Robbins said. “Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. Just because you may think you can’t follow your dreams because of an obstacle, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It’s just a challenge that you have to face. Are you willing to take on that challenge?”
Learn more about Claire's story here.
