West Bloomfield Student Takes Disney Dream Trip

West Bloomfield Public Schools student Kayla Noel's dream of becoming a chef is a little closer to coming true. 

As a winner in the Disney Dreamers Academy Contest, the 16-year-old Pontiac resident and her mother, Jerreece Barber, traveled to Walt Disney World in Florida March 7-10, where they rubbed elbows with celebrities and Kayla competed in a cook-off with other culinary arts students. 

"It was a life-changing experience," Kayla said. "I took away a lot of advice about how to become a chef." 

That advice came from some famous culinary artists, including Chef Carla Hall from ABC's The Chew, and Chef Jeff Henderson, from Las Vega's Bellagio Hotel. She appeared in a Disney parade and received gifts that included a Disney Academy class ring, cookware, a chef's uniform, cook books, posters and CDs. 

Kayla said she entered the contest after hearing about it on WPZR 102.7 radio. She wrote about her dream of being a chef and owning a restaurant. 

"Just watching my great-grandmother cook inspired me," she said, "but I pretty much learned how (to cook) on my own." 

Her favorite dish to cook? Chicken cordon bleu. 

Through West Bloomfield Public Schools, Kayla is enrolled in Oakland Early College, through which she attends classes on the Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge Campus in Farmington Hills. After graduation, she intends to pursue a culinary degree at OCC.