The greatest part about my job is being able to change someone’s mood.I wish it always changed for the better, but this just is’nt the case.Sometimes it would change for the worse depending on how bad I did. I have been an Executive chef for almost 12 years now and I work for a very high end restaurant.
15 years ago is when it all began.I was working as a laborer in a dead end warehouse.Warehouse work is very low pay and long hours. The long hours and low pay were the least of my worries.It was the fact that there was no room for a person who thinks outside of the box.If you enjoyed having every decision made for you without any input of your own than this job would have been perfect for you.Even if this would help the warehouse become more efficient.
I would usually get home from work around 6 at night.The store was right by my house so I always stopped by on the way home.Once I was home I started on dinner and then all my worries just disappeared.I would pass the evening trying different recipes, or just putting new spins on old ones.The thought of this is what got me through the day.
I had been doing this for about 4 years. Later one night my neighbor came by my home.He needed to talk about some home issues he was having.I wasnt sure why came to me to talk about his problems.I had no family, friends or even a girlfriend.I invited him in and he talked while I cooked. So that he thought I was listening I would aska question or two every few minutes or so.
I didnt want to be rude so I made him a plate too. We had dinner at the kitchen table.He just kept rambling on about his wife this and his wife that. Finally he took a bite of his dinner.I didnt hear another word out of him for the rest of our meal. I was happy that he could think about something other than his family issues.He had finished rather quickly and gave me the strangest look. I asked if everything was ok.He then asked where I learned to cook like this. I told him it was just something I do in my free time. He grabbed his cell phone, called his wife, and had her come over to my house.She sat down at the table while he got her a plate. She took one bite and her eyes lit up like a christmas tree.She then told me about a small Tuscan restaurant that she had recently opened but had not found a good cook yet. She asked if I would come and try it out for a couple of weeks. I told her I would be happy to.
I never went back to my warehouse job. About a year after taking the cooking job I decided to go to school so that I could further my career in the culinary arts. That was the best decision I ever made. I was able to go to one of the top culinary schools in the nation.
I still go back to that little Tuscan restaurant from time to time. Every time I do this story comes rushing back to me. I can’t believe how far I’ve come from that poor laborer in the warehouse.
To learn more about getting your degree in the culinary arts click here: Top Culinary Schools a>