Mitchell's big year continues

When the Post-Signal last checked in on Ben Mitchell, the Crowley taxidermist was pursuing his culinary dreams on The Cooking Channel reality show “The Freshman Class.” Next week he will be cooking in front of a slightly different audience as he travels to Augusta, Ga., to cook at the  most famous golf tournament in the world. 

“I’m really looking forward to this,” said the obviously excited Mitchell on Thursday. “I’m going to be cooking with some of the best chefs in the world.

“This has really been an incredible year. With the television show, my approaching graduation and now this ... it’s tough to really put it into words.” 

Mitchell has no illusions as to who to credit for his recent success. 

“None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for the exposure I received (on television),” he said. “I really can’t thank them enough.” 

With Mitchell’s impending graduation from LSU Culinary School approaching next month, he is looking forward to spending time moving his cooking skills to his business, The Courtyard on North Parkerson Ave., full-time.

“I intend to start by building a catering business and move on from there,” he said. “I told Mayor Jones (Crowley Mayor Greg Jones) that I’m going to help to put downtown Crowley on the map.”

Mitchell’s immediate future, however, will consist of rubbing elbows with not only some of the world’s most famous chefs, but its most famous golfers as well. 

“I play golf whenever I have time but this past year I’ve been really busy,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to this experience.”

Mitchell stated that he’d do an interview with The Post-Signal upon his return from Augusta.