Oliver, 18:

I wish to meet Chef Thomas Keller of the French Laundry

Oliver, 18, displays maturity beyond his years – and a true love for cooking. When the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® and Betty Crocker® asked about his greatest wish, Oliver, who lives with a life-threatening respiratory condition, dreamed big. He wished to meet his idol: world-renowned chef Thomas Keller of the French Laundry.

Knowing how special this moment was going to be for Oliver, Make-A-Wish® volunteers and Betty Crocker began planning a weekend as big as his wish. First, the chapter arranged for Oliver and his family to travel to San Francisco for the annual Wine and Wishes event. Oliver attended this epicurean event as the Wish Ambassador, and assisted local celebrity chefs in preparing four-course meals for the 300 VIP guests. Following this fantastic night, Oliver’s wish came true when he visited the illustrious French Laundry restaurant and had dinner with Chef Keller himself seated at the coveted chef’s table. Oliver even got to observe and assist with prep in the kitchen!

Oliver was thrilled with his wish, saying that “to be able to work in one of the top five restaurants in the world, even for a couple of hours, was truly amazing.”