LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Rob Reil stood in the shadowed light of the cremation chamber at Auschwitz, the most infamous of the World War II death camps.

In this place of horror, where more than a million Jews were systematically murdered, he was inspired by their determination to still find meaning.

He thought of the obstacles in his path. They were nothing by comparison. Why was he choosing to be stagnant? He had loving parents, wise mentors and supportive friends. How would he respond?

On his trip back to the States, he reflected on a job shadowing experience from fifth grade when he spent a day with a chef. He found the family-like atmosphere of the kitchen and the art of food preparation truly inspiring.

It was a light bulb moment. Riel decided to follow his dream to be a chef and one day a teacher like his father.

In 2012 Reil started culinary school at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College.

On the first day of the first semester, he missed class. In the past, this would have been his cue to pack it in. But he didn’t.

Chef Rob Cabreros, his teacher and future mentor, gave him a second chance. “I think he could see the fire in my heart,” Reil said. “Thank you for that, Chef Cabreros.”

Just before his first big test, his father suffered a stroke. Reil got a 92 on the test, but soon after, he learned his father had passed.

“I just melted,” Reil said.

However, his new resolve kept him moving. He stayed in school, made friends and built community.

“Sue and Sandy in the office. And Dr. Lyons and Ms. Anderson, they were all so good for me,” he said. “They listened, they knew what was going on in my life. That campus held me together. I became a different person in a matter of six months.”

The culinary program was excellent. But what Reil appreciated most was the way Chef Rob
Cabreros mentored his students.

There was one student that Reil clashed with many times. One day, Reil was in charge of a pie sale. Chef Cabreros sent the irritating student to help.

“In not five minutes everything went sideways. I was about to explode,” Reil said with a smile.

Cabreros called Reil into his office and told him that a good chef has to trust people to get things done and not micromanage the process. “Otherwise,” he told Reil, “You will never get anywhere.”

It was not an easy lesson, but Reil let the student work his own process bagging orders, and the project was a success.

In 2014, Reil finished the culinary program. Now “Chef” Reil, he worked in many kitchens and restaurants on the Central Coast. He perfected cooking skills, but more importantly, he grew the valuable management skills he learned in college.

“In kitchens you have people from everywhere,” he explained. “An ex-con to a valedictorian. But it is my mood that drives everything. I set the weather in my kitchen.”

From teachers and advisors, he learned from the college how to be wise, think ahead and mediate. “The further I go in life, the more I realize how rare that gift from Woodland is.”

Today, Chef Reil has realized the second half of his dream. He is a teacher like his father. He leads the culinary program at Lower Lake High School and coaches cross country.

He is proud to be preparing and inspiring students for careers in the food service industry. “Our staff is amazing,” he said.

Chef Reil transformed his life, and Woodland Community College was a big part of it. “Making the transition to college was difficult,” he said. “Pushing through that, persevering, that is what
the college taught me. How to persevere.” 

His advice for blazing a new trail in your life?

“Reflect before you make a big decision,” he said. “Your roots are what feed your soul. Know yourself. Not sure what to do? Go somewhere you don’t know for a few weeks and you will find
out who you are. You will know. Then, before you take the leap for college, have a plan.” 

For those interested in pursuing their own path through education, they are encouraged to sign up for classes at Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus on “Super Saturday,” Jan. 11, or online.

The registration event will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Lake County Campus, 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.

At the event, students will get help applying and registering for Spring 2025 classes.

Anyone interested in this event is encouraged to attend. For more information call the campus at 707-995-7900.