The Winner Is
Anyone who knows me well knows one of the things I do in my spare time is watch cooking shows that have been uploaded to YouTube. We have not had a television in years and neither of us watches enough to consider paying for a streaming service, but I love watching what I can find online to watch.
I have learned so much from listening to the chefs, judges, and cheftestants. So much of what I learn has to do with cooking, preparation, serving, flavors, and foods I had no idea existed. However, I have also come to notice something about human behavior. One thing that these shows have reminded me of is that my attitude when I am preparing food affects how it tastes. This is a lesson that Marcus Waring and Monica Galetti have driven into me as they consistently remind cheftestants on Master Chef UK Professionals to have confidence in themselves. Their confidence or lack thereof will make its way into their dish. Sometimes that is in its taste, lack of identity or presentation.
The other lesson is to be humble. My wife and friends think I am an awesome cook. However, the reality is that I cook what they love and I pour my love for them into what I make. I sit in awe of others and the dishes they are able to create. I watch these professional chefs who create works of art on the plate. Their dishes look too pretty to eat at times. What I find most amazing is that the majority of the “cheftestant” shows I have watched have always been won by the person who was most humble. That doesn't mean they didn’t want to win, they did. However, in all that they said, there was no arrogance. They would cook their best food, but then be humbled by the feedback and so grateful for the opportunity to grow and evolve. I have watched some of these humble chefs be shocked that they won. Were they happy yes, but they were so humble. I remember watching one professional chef break down in tears of disbelief because he could not believe he won. He was grateful for the opportunity, but also recognized the talents of his peers.
Being humble is not just something we do in moments, it becomes a trait which is part of who we are. Watching others, there are things they say and do, which leave an impression that they are humble. There are also things that can be done that leave one with an opposite impression. If this is true of others, it is also true of us.
Do we come across as arrogant and self centered or humble.
I remember one cheftestant I saw on an episode of Chopped. He for me appeared as the opposite of humble. He was so full of himself, talking about not only how attractive he was, but what an awesome cook he was and how he had this competition in the bag. I have seen him on other shows since then and his attitude has always been the same. At one point, saying they were even lucky to have him on their show.
On the other hand, those who are humble do not boast. They don’t fake being nice, they just are. They are confident in their own skills but are also mindful of the gifts and talents of others. They strive to lift others up, not put them down. They know that not everyone will like them, but that is ok. All that matters is that even those be treated with dignity and respect.
That respect not only comes across in who we engage with others, but with our food. Do we treat it with dignity and respect. Whether it is an animal or a plant, it has sacrificed for us. Are we mindful of that. Do we treat all of creation with respect or do we think the world is here to serve us.
What does being humble look like for you? Do you recognize it in others? Do they recognize it in you?
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