Shuna Lydon has written the most amazing post about teaching and learning in the restaurant kitchen. It’s a must read for anyone who has ever had a mentor. And for anyone, who like me, is enamored of the culinary world. It’s the kind of behind the scenes look that we front-of-the-restaurant types are rarely given. I read it, and all I want to do is read more.
No.” Eric said to calm them a bit, “Stand over here, I’m going to show you how to put out this table, I’m going to show you how to cook, how to work like a team, how to put out just one ticket.”
And then he did. He cooked every single course, by himself, with not another soul on the line touching sauce pots or spatulas or garnishes. He jumped this way and that, gracefully, using every part of his body, talking, admonishing, telling, teaching, showing, explaining as he went. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw in a kitchen…
When the line resumed their positions, every single cook knew just who
they were. Cooks.
As I’ve written before, so much about the culinary world reminds me of medicine. Shuna has given me yet another example of that – how our mentors influence us throughout our career. Her description brought to mind the great teachers I had who helped me become the doc I am today.
It’s easy to draw the parallels. I had a General Surgeon who’d done fellowships in transplant and head & neck. He limited his practice to head and neck but could do absolutely anything in surgery well. Well read, well trained, hands-of-gold and no-one ever needed to second guess his clinical decisions. Normally the residents & fellows would do the surgery with him scrubed and watching but when they went too slow or to clumsy he’d push them aside and then everyone would watch in amazement. The only problem was he had Chef Eric’s temperment too — it was one guy that you did not want to cross. I wish more of the great talents had the great personalities (make that pleasant personalities) to match.
http://www.waittimes.blogspot.com
Hi
it is a very nice and great post and I appriciate it.