$150,000 lottery win adds spice for aspiring chef

ATLANTA –A $150,000 lottery win has added extra spice to one Cumming man's dreams. Tyler Parker, an aspiring chef, won a $150,000 top prize playing the Georgia Lottery instant game Giant Jumbo Bucks.

"My jaw still hurts from smiling so much," he said.

The 20-year-old hopes to follow in his father's footsteps and operate the family's local restaurant.

Feeling sluggish, Parker stopped at Quick Mart #0003, 5585 S. Chestatee St. in Dahlonega, for an energy drink and a ticket.

Before scratching the ticket he rubbed the arm of a co-worker, who had recently won $500 twice playing the lottery, for good luck, Parker said.

"I started screaming, 'You work, you work,' " he said, referring to his colleague. "He was my good luck charm."

Parker anticipates taking up management in culinary school, and "having some fun."

He also intends to give back to his parents.

"I want to help my parents for helping me out," he shared.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $11.4 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program. More than 1.2 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.