Maybe it’s just because I am in the twilight of a career that I am very thankful for, but aware of my own connection to the problems that restaurants face. Maybe it is because now, as a consultant, I see the problems from a different perspective, or maybe it is simply because I am tired…
Tag: cooks
A COOK’S BALANCE – HARD WORK, PASSION, LIVE
I was listening to some older music the other day and reconnected with a then super group – Blind Faith. When you put Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood together – great music is bound to happen. One song became the inspiration for this article. The lyrics were simple, but poignant as they introduced…
IS COOKING LOSING ITS COOL IMAGE?
Maybe, the old adage: “what goes around, comes around” is true in the case of cooks and chefs. There was a time when individuals worked in kitchens for one of two reasons – they were either destined to do this work, or they fell into the kitchen out of necessity and grew to love it.…
INNOVATE AND CHANGE OR GET OUT OF THE WAY
Take a deep breath, sit down, grab a couple Ibuprofen, tighten your belt and pay attention. EVERYTHING IS CHANGING AND THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. If you think that you can simply continue to do business the way you have, cook the same type of food as in the past, live with the level of…
THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN CHEFS
On this International Women’s Day I am enthusiastic about supporting this years theme of “Balance for Better”. Specifically, I want to point to the numerous accomplishments of women chefs who are making a difference in the restaurant business. It seems senseless to categorize chefs as male or female, in fact that distinction helps to…
ANGER AND THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CHEF
Most chefs have been there – that point of exasperation when something isn’t going as planned, when a staff member didn’t follow through, when that order came back for a re-fire, or when a vendor sent disappointing products to your back door. You tense up, blood flows to your head, you grit your teeth, and…
TALENT, PASSION, DISCIPLINE, AND HARD WORK
If you could imagine a formula for success in any field it would certainly stem from these four factors: Talent, Passion, Discipline, and Hard Work. When all four are in place – incredible results are inevitable, but ironically talent becomes the icing on the cake. There are numerous examples of individuals who have been very…
THE CHEF – DECISIONS EVERY 30 SECONDS
Ah…the good old days when it was just about cooking. Remember those days when your stress, considerable as it may have been, was focused on your mise en place, keeping orders straight on your station, making sure that your knives were sharp and your station clean and organized, being sharp and alert, and taking those…
GENEROSITY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COOKS AND CHEFS
This month I had the pleasure of working in the kitchen with three of my most treasured friends. These consummate professionals represent, to me, the most vivid reason why I have truly loved working in the food business for five decades. I went on a culinary journey with these chefs as we found ourselves in…
A COOK’S EVOLUTION OF SKILLS AND VALUE
Physically, mentally, and emotionally – professional cook’s and chef’s offer different levels of value as time goes by. To some, there is that uncomfortable feeling that accompanies an aging body – you know – that point in a career when you might feel a bit slower, plagued by aching muscles, and struck with the realization…
