Looking forward.

It's a new year and for some reason, my body has decided to get sick.  I think I caught it from a guest at our traditional New Year's Eve quiet evening with friends thing.  Damn her.  So, here I am trying to flush out my system with tea, vegetable soup, bread, juices, and ice cream.  There's got to be some sort of reward.

So what does a new year bring?  I don't know.  I started by kinda worrying that I don't have a lot of work lined up.  Until this afternoon when I booked 5 gigs for the next two weeks.  I really need to stop worrying and just letting it happen.  I get asked to work for a reason.  I need to understand that I will get asked first when work opens up.

Have I really entered the forefront of most of my employer's minds?  Maybe.  Or is it because I continue to update them on my availability in a methodical yet gentle way.  Maybe.  Or is it my skills that have them asking me to be part of their events team?  I hope.  Or is everyone else just away?  I'm fine with that.

Whatever it is, I think I deserve it.  I've worked hard this past year in establishing myself in the New York City catering community.  I've taken on many positions at far less than what others would.  I went out of my way to help companies when they are in dire need of help.  And throughout all of it, I've remained positive and supportive.  I am glad many companies are seeing that.

So what lies ahead?  I need to be more aggressive and assertive in getting what I want.  I need to build more confidence in my skills as a catering event lead chef.  I need to get better at networking and establishing myself as a freelance cook with clients who pay in a higher echelon.  I need to get a business card.

There is much to be thankful for this past year.  I am truly grateful for all the good stuff that came my way.  Despite the lousy first couple of days.  Later.

Labels: inspiration, Realism, Thankful

  ¶ 10:41 PM 0 comments

 

Trees or forest?

Am I changing from a pessimist to an optimist?  Or does it depend on what I am looking at?  Or am I just mature enough to see situations for what they are?

Last night, I worked a "test party" for a new event space.  We had to serve a meal for 125 people in a brand new event space that has a brand new kitchen that is about 80% complete.  We also had to serve a brand new menu which had NEVER been executed in that kitchen by any of the cooks involved.

So, what when wrong?  Well, from the kitchen point of view, nothing.  The food was properly cooked and delicious.  The food went out on time.  There were a few miscommunications.  Everyone had a moment.  The guests loved the food so much that very little of it came back.  There was not an exorbitant amount of leftovers.  And the owners seemed to be so happy with the outcome.

So, why was the chef unhappy?  Because he is young and pessimistic.  And why is his most senior female cook cosigning on his unhappiness? Because she has no self-confidence as a cook and thinks the world is out to get her.  And why am I, Mr. Pessimistic, not playing along with their reindeer games?  Because I see it as a test of what we can do and a way of trying to improve the kitchen timing. 

Where there some things that needed improvement?  Yes.  We could have made more potatoes.   We could have cooked the lamb a touch more.  We could have had more quinoa tomato rolls.  The salad needs to be less labor-intensive.  We could have been prepped earlier.  Can all these things be changed?  Absolutely!  Are we going to change them?  Without a doubt.

Maybe I should be called Mr. Realistic, instead.  So maybe I am not as pessimistic as I think I am.  Maybe my reality is just too bitter for some to swallow.  No matter what or what view someone else looks at.  Later.

Labels: Change, Realism

  ¶ 11:22 AM 0 comments