Something I always say is, "It’s not about being gifted or naturally talented, it’s about hard work, dedication, commitment & decision."
I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan with a family that was very food centric, German- Polish. When I was only about 12 years old, my mom started looking into cooking classes to keep me busy.
Because of that, I had an opportunity to watch a Certified Master Chef, Chef Ed Janos, cook at Henry Ford College.
He roasted a chicken, cooked some mashed potatoes, and green beans. After I watched him cook, I knew that that was what I wanted to be when I grew up.
A Certified Master Chef. I wanted to be like that guy.
He was witty and intelligent and he just flowed seamlessly in the kitchen from one thing to the next. A true master in the kitchen.
So I spent the next 25 years of my life working towards that. And that guided my every decision. I went to the Culinary Institute of America and made it a point to work for Master Chefs along the way.
Knowing that I wanted to become a Certified Master Chef, I created a filter for my life which was a simple question: “Is this going to get me closer to becoming a Certified Master Chef or is this project going to get me further away from it?”
Asking that question along the way and filtering all opportunities through that question led me down a really amazing path.
I had big goals.
Become a Certified Master Chef, compete at Bocuse d'Or, compete at the Culinary Olympics, and now become an entrepreneur and coach and train Chefs who are looking for greatness.
Without a true solid plan for where you want to go, you're never going to get there. So my question to you is, where are you going?
If you know, I'd be honored to go on your journey with you.
- Gerald Ford