Mr. Marcus K. Hawkins

Another great memory I have of Marcus is how willing he was to kindly come share his time with the next cohort after he graduated, and to offer reflections about his internship and working in restaurants. There are many people who can cook well, but it takes a special kind of person like Marcus to care about who is coming up next and to prepare them. Marcus was learning his own way and supporting others too, and it takes a big heart to do that. I am so proud to have cooked with him and to have that gift of being around his intelligence and talent.

When I met Marcus in the Impact Culinary Training program as his instructor, I could see right away what a special person he was. He shared his dream of opening a vegan fast food spot in Austin, and he worked hard to develop the skills and knowledge to best prepare himself. I loved how eager he was to learn everything, and he always picked things up quickly. He also showed gentle patience with others who weren't as quick as him. I told Marcus frequently that if he ever wanted to open a spot together, I would love to, and that's something I have never said to someone so young. I think everyone who knows and loves Marcus agrees that he just had that spark!! We also bonded over struggles with chronic illness, medication, energy levels and food issues, and I deeply admired how hard he fought to show up for himself and his future with a smile, knowing through my own experience with how truly hard that is. Chef Marcus, I am proud of you, I love you, and I bet you are holding it down at the most amazing and delicious cookout heaven has ever seen. Love, Chef Jeannine

Some of my favorite memories of Marcus are the way he always started the conversations in the group chat that mattered. Conversations about manhood, purpose, and growing into who we were meant to be. He pushed us to take life seriously and move with intention.

Im forever grateful to have called him a friend and a brother. Truly irreplaceable. May God bless his family and all the lives he touched during his time with us. 💜