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Kris’ decision to visit Japan came as no surprise to his family. He’s always been the adventuresome type. But the road to Japan had several curves, starting with his high school CareerTech program, family and consumer science education (FACSE) at Vanoss High School. That is why he is being recognized as a CareerTech champion, according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director. Champions are alumni of the system's programs or student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience. That’s where Gutierrez first expressed interest in the culinary arts. “His dad is of Spanish ancestry, so Kris liked to cook some of his family recipes,” said B.J. Smith, Kris’ FACSE instructor. “Observing his desire to prepare food, I wanted to give Kris the opportunity to demonstrate his favorite dishes for the class.” Smith also arranged for Gutierrez to tour the Oklahoma State University School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration while her class was there for the FACSE Fashion Express during his senior year. “Ms. Smith asked me if I wanted to go to OSU with her for Fashion Express, and I decided to tag along,” Gutierrez said. “The event was for apparel design and such, which was not my thing. But, a chance to tour the hotel and restaurant school really caught my attention.” Impressed with the program, Gutierrez enrolled at OSU and began classes that fall in Stillwater. As a student he worked as a hibachi chef at Kyoto, a local Japanese restaurant. There he made friends who ultimately changed the direction of his life. “I learned to cook western style food at school, but wanted to try something
different,” Gutierrez said. “I made friends in the international
programs at OSU and while working at Kyoto. When I finished school I made a promise
to visit them.” Three years later and this culinary artist is now an international award-winning language instructor. He teaches English as a second language at GABA, an international school in Tokyo, and works weekends on a friend’s tree farm. “I’m amazed that my one-week vacation turned into a three-year adventure,” Gutierrez said. “I never would have expected to make such a career change based on one visit.”
“Most of my students are career people wanting to add an extra skill to their life, but some are here just for self-improvement.” Since Gutierrez started teaching at GABA, he has been honored as a “Top Teacher” in 2003. He has his own apartment, which is considered an honor and privilege, and is one of few Americans to receive a Lifetime Work Visa. Yet, he still has not abandoned his dream of eventually opening his own restaurant. For now, he’s looking for a job doing research and development for a Japanese company that would require travel between the United States and Japan. “Since he was young, Kris has been adventurous and wanted to be different,” his mother Lillian said. “He has always had outstanding goals. Even though he is far away from home, I will continue to encourage and support him to accomplish his dreams, wherever they may take him.” Feeling homesick for the family farm, Gutierrez is planning to return home soon to visit. “Tokyo is a huge city and the people are so nice to me,” said Gutierrez. “The hospitality makes me feel as if I am back in the Oklahoma countryside. But it’s not the same as home.”
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posted 9/10/2004 |
Story:Jeremy
Porter |
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Around
midnight the phone rings, which is not unusual with a 14-hour time
zone difference. On the other end of the line Lillian Gutierrez makes
a
quick morning
call from her bridal shop in Oklahoma to tell her son – an internationally
recognized language instructor – goodnight. 
And,
he has made great connections in Japan. His students range from kids
to politicians and television personalities.