“Watch Him”: Frankie Tinley Jr. Defies Odds and Finds Purpose as a Holistic Chef

Frankie Tinley Jr.’s story isn’t typical, but it is a powerful testament to determination, love, and the belief of a father who simply said, “Watch him.”

Born after being deprived of oxygen and later diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Joubert Syndrome, Frankie spent his early years undergoing intense physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Some doctors told his parents he might never walk or talk. But Frankie’s father believed, and Frankie delivered. He walked, he talked, he grew, and he learned, defying every early prediction.

Today, Frankie has dedicated over ten years to working with the special needs and neurotypical communities, giving back to the types of teachers and therapists who believed in him. But his journey of determination didn’t stop there; it led him straight to the culinary world.

Finding Acceptance at Bauman College

Frankie was drawn to Bauman College because he was looking for a program that would truly “see my abilities, not my disabilities.” He found that the people at Bauman—from the faculty to the students—truly cared.

“The People and EVERYONE CARED!” he states.

Frankie enrolled in the Holistic Chef Program, specializing as a Pastry Chef. It was here that he found a new way to express himself and serve others, blending his passion for cooking with the principles of holistic health. The program gave him a deep understanding of flavors and how to incorporate them into everyday pastries.

YaYa’s Sweets: A Business Built on Love and Legacy

With the culinary knowledge gained at Bauman and the incredible support from his mentors and the Career Services Advisor (affectionately nicknamed “The Durantula”), Frankie launched his own business: YaYa’s Sweets.

Named in honor of his beloved grandmother, YaYa’s Sweets is more than just a business; it’s a heartfelt tribute, a labor of love, and a continuation of a family legacy, offering home-baked goods with a special touch of his grandmother’s flavors.

Frankie’s career now perfectly blends his passions. He works at Las Trampas, a disability service and support organization, where he helps people with disabilities find their purpose. In his private practice, he shares the healing, joyful side of whole food culinary arts through his business.

A Diagnosis Doesn’t Define You

Frankie and his younger brother were both diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome, a condition affecting the cerebellum that controls balance and coordination. For Frankie, it took nearly nine years to put a name to what he had been living with all along.

“But here’s the thing: a diagnosis doesn’t define you. Your determination does,” Frankie insists.

People have doubted him his whole life, and he knows they probably always will. But that’s okay. Because every time someone says he can’t, he hears his dad’s voice in his head, saying, “Watch him.” And he keeps going.

Advice for Aspiring Holistic Chefs

Frankie is a powerful example of how Bauman College helps students bring out and “showcase your worth.”

His advice to anyone interested in attending Bauman College or pursuing a career in Holistic Nutrition and the Culinary Arts is simple: “Don’t hesitate to ask questions. And if you are ever in doubt of your life skills, Bauman College will help you bring it out and showcase your worth.”

Ready to Showcase Your Worth?

Like Frankie, are you ready to turn your passion into a purposeful career? Bauman College’s Holistic Chef and Nutrition Consultant programs provide the knowledge, skills, and supportive community you need to defy expectations and build a legacy of your own.

Craving Frankie’s creations? Connect with him via Instagram @ayayassweets