The F Word (file under Different Strokes for Different Folks)

I’ve mentioned Gordon Ramsay here before, if my memory serves, predominantly as it related to the American version of Hell’s Kitchen and as Marco Pierre White’s whipping boy way back when. Look it up, there is a picture of Gordon Ramsay crying in one of Marco Pierre White’s books. At any rate, Chef Ramsay, has a new show airing on the Food Network here in Canada (also I’m sure syndicated worldwide).

I have now watched a few episodes with my finger squarely on the fast forward button. I have immense respect for what Chef Ramsay has been able to achieve in his career. Though I find his methods a bit out there and feel that some of them may be created persona for his television audience rather than entirely real. Though some people that I know have encountered him and assure me that he is just as he appears. Again I take it with a grain of salt.

Intensely curious I watched as Chef Ramsay ripped apart his Commis’ for this, that or the other thing. The show is basically him building dishes, teaching his Commis’ with so called celebrity patrons at his restaurant. I strongly recommend watching just one episode so you can see exactly what I am talking about. It is also strange when he is explaining the recipes through a very surreal voice over to music wherein he says one word and then shows the steps. VERY WEIRD. But I guess in this age of instant gratification and limited attention spans he figures that his audience is only capable of paying attention for that long.

I bring this up because I believe that somehow, somewhere, certain Chefs came to believe that the only way to instill greatness in one of their students was through fear and intimidation. That fear, driving the student, to make the teacher happy. I AM NOT FROM THIS SCHOOL OF THOUGHT. I believe that it is completely unnecessary to degrade your student. While it may be necessary to deflate his ego or the like I certainly do not ascribe to Chef Ramsay’s methods. However, I believe that he has a track record that has worked for him and for the gluttons of punishment that have gone to work with him.

In this way I find that certain Chefs can illustrate plainly the belief that it is better to be feared than loved. I personally do not believe this. I would much rather have people love and respect me than fear me. Check it out for yourselves and you will see what I am talking about.

The great American jurist Thurgood Marshall once said; “What is the quality of your intent?

Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine the reasons of our true intent.

My intent will be evident in the results.”

Enough said!

Are you dreaming big and inspired?

A la prochaine

SDM