Teen with inoperable brain cancer lives dream of being chef

A Minnesota teen with inoperable brain cancer and dreams to be a chef one day was given the opportunity to cook at Hell’s Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday.

14-year-old Trent Spangler has been watching and studying cooking shows since he was a little kid.  And with the future unknown, Trent’s family and friends are trying to help him experience everything on his wish list. 

So, the owners of the trendy downtown restaurant made his wish come true as he learned how to prepare a four-course meal from the head chef himself. Trent’s family members, friends, and doctors from Children’s Hospital all came to the restaurant to support him and taste his gourmet meal.

“He’s doing real great, I’m really proud of him,” head chef Steve Meyer said. “I gave him my keys and said I’m taking tomorrow off, he’s taking over.”

Co-owner Cynthia Gerdes said one of Trent’s family members asked for the favor since it allows him to take his focus off the brain cancer diagnosis.

“It’s better to think about doing this than all the crap I’ve been going through at the hospital,” Trent said.

His mom and dad said their son got the news two weeks ago -- “It’s inoperable, it’s too far in, and too large,” they said.

This isn’t the first cancer battle for the Apple Valley High School freshman. As a one-year-old, he fought Leukemia and it came back when he was 6 -- and now this.

“The other day out of the blue he said, ‘I’ll never be able to go to a club.’ What do you say to that?” his dad Steve Spangler said.

The family said this may be the greatest trial their family has ever faced.  But once again, it’s brought them closer together.

“We’re having as much fun as we can every day,” mom Sherry Spangler said.

The owners said as soon as he graduates from high school, there will be a job waiting for him.

You can help Trent and his family at https://www.gofundme.com/trent-Spangler and read more at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/trentonspangler.