ODESSA, Texas — Whenever 17-year-old Odessa resident Ruben Malone isn’t working on schoolwork, he’s in the kitchen cooking up dishes for practice.
“I think it’s necessary; everyone needs to learn how to cook," said Malone. "Cause what happens if you have kids? Like family? Like what are you going to make for them? Like macaroni and cheese? I don’t know.”
And even though Ruben is partially blind in one eye, it doesn’t stop him from doing what he loves.
“Cooking for me, for him, I think is an accomplishment," said Doris Malone, his mother. "Cause even though with his disability and with the school, he has been trying to get better at what he does.”
But he doesn’t just cook for his friends and family.
Ruben believes that he can use his passion for cooking as a force of good in his community. He's cooked for churches, the VFW, and other places where he feels his passion can help others.
“Well, I mean I always wanted to help others, trying to figure out who I want to help? I was like, why not use my cooking skills to help others? Those who don’t have the money to pay for food and stuff like that,” Malone added.
His family has a history of getting involved in the community and helping others, so it was only natural that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
“We are a family that, we always care for our community," his mother continued. "It doesn’t matter how much it’s going to take, we try to support others that are less fortunate than us.”
Ruben says he’s set on pursuing a culinary career, but his desire to help others wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“When I’m older I’m most likely going to be a chef," Malone said. "I’d love to be a chef so I can help others.”