My Journey

My Journey

It wasn't always a colored path as to what I wanted to do with my life as I mentioned in the last blog. A bit more of my backstory, so growing up my mom and my dad.. Paused for a minute this was a very memorable point in my childhood! So they both were really good cooks, sorry to say, but my dad just had more of an edge when it comes to cooking.

My mom bless her heart she's always been a really good cook, and believe me, she kept us fed, and definitely wanting a second plate and a third L O L, but my dad just had this characteristic when he cook, I used to watch him in the kitchen and it's like he is coming to life so to speak for the first time! But it's something that has always stuck with me. He would sing his little songs, dance, and bop around in the kitchen, and tell us stories for certain items that he will cook, or just life events that were memorable to him. I find myself doing the same thing when I'm in the kitchen, I lose track of time, and the only thing I have in my head is him bouncing and dancing in the kitchen , I swear I couldn't make this up. 

So in life, we take different things from our family and friends, or just in general, the things that we've seen that made an impact on us whether if it's good or bad, right? I said one of the more fond memories I have of my family, get togethers, after dad cooked his super freaking awesome meals. We would all sit either at the table but mostly in the family room, watching whatever family show came on that night or the other night. L O L it was something! We will have burger night, spaghetti night and chili with cornbread night amongst other things. But it all went right back to the same conclusion. .. We would all huddle around with our food trays, and have fun, enjoying the food, watching TV, cracking jokes at each other and just talking!

As I mentioned, one of the introductions about this blog and site, and what I wanted it to be, as well as what I want it to mean for myself, and for the people who choose to follow. Food brings us together. It is a celebration, it's a inspiration, it is something to strive for, if you're a cook, or a chef, that can make you or will eventually make you great. But it all depends on your heart and how you see food. When I say that I mean, it can be a typically great day in the office, so to speak, or it can be a mundane, just tedious way to make a dollar. As we all know, those people typically don't last long in this industry, I've seen that over and over again as well. 

Me, growing up in kitchens, adding my story and experiences.. like my dad's, absolutely no comparison it was just something to watch him do his thing in the kitchen, and share his life stories with us. I try to do the same thing these days as a lead Cook, or Chef. It's your obligation and responsibility, to lead your cooks to not think of this as a chore, or a tedious task, to pass time by getting your hours and make a paycheck. But to enjoy what you do, pay attention, take notes, but more importantly, love what you do. When we prepare food, it is a reflection of how you feel on the inside that tells the story more than people think, if you are one of those spirited individuals that love being in the kitchen, like my dad used to, it reflects on the meal that you prepare for someone, if you're just one of those people who need to pass time by, and need to make a paycheck for the day well, that sucks!

Every job ive ever had, I can sum up to one deciding factor  whether I chose to continue working there or not. And every time I left that job, it had a lot to do with, was I happy there, did I see myself wanting to do this for another 10 or 15 years, could I see myself retiring here after putting in all the man hours needed.. you know? I feel like that's a very important question you should always ask yourself… stay true to your heart first of all. If your soul is not jumping for joy , when you clock into work, if you are on the way to work, and at the clock,if you're not super excited, or beside yourself with joy, because you're about to go to work with people you have respect for, or that respect you, if you're not, super excited  because you get to go do what you love to do, or what has inspired you for years before now, or just a sudden interest, you should probably move on and find another job, because you would only be dragging yourself down and people around you. More importantly, the production will be meaningless and the people around you would know it as well. .