Five Guys founder Jerry Murrell was served this warning by his teachers at school: that if he continued to underperform, he would have to spend his future flipping burgers. But isn’t he doing just that in style today, at over a thousand locations around the world?
If our self-esteem took a beating from childhood experiences, then as adults we have to make a conscious choice about how we view ourselves. Even if no one else sees it that way. Turning raw food into a delicious meal while elevating the ingredients themselves takes a certain kind of intelligence. Being able to anticipate what will delight people at the table takes a certain kind of knowing. Producing moments that define someone’s celebration or evoking nostalgic feelings takes a certain kind of finesse.
There’s a place in society for our contribution. And it’s up to us to own that, chef.