Most people will view cooking as a simple essential skill that gets you food on your plate, something you need to learn that makes you independent. And while professional cooking and pursuing a career as a chef is an admirable choice, the outlook on cooking doesn’t really go past that point.
However, beyond meeting your basic needs, the principles, concepts, and terms that make up professional cooking and what it takes to be a good chef require more than just filling up someone’s stomach. Much of what chefs learn and the intricacies behind dining actually double-down as excellent professional development advice is perfect for entrepreneurs.
So, whether you’re in the auto industry currently looking for the best deal on auto paint equipment or a newbie real estate agent trying to close a deal, you might be pleasantly surprised to find a piece of advice that could help you right now.
You Can’t Skip To Dessert
We all enjoy our desserts, and many of us wish we could do away with all the struggles and enjoy the finer things in life minus the hard work. However, in a full-course meal, you can’t skip to the finish, and the same applies to our professional careers. Before we get to savor the sweet-tasting victory, we must go through the process of working on ourselves and making progress.
- Appetizers In Life: Appetizers complement and introduce the main course, and we get to choose them. So, don’t let anyone else decide what’s best for you, or else you’ll end up with a meal you never expected to get. You’ll be presented with many choices throughout your career, so opt for the appetizer that coincides with your goals.
- Enjoying The Main Course: The main course in life is riddled with increasing difficulty, meeting demands, and making every effort to succeed. And no matter how much preparation the appetizer has provided, there’s still much to experience. But, never let failure get to your head, believe in yourself, and relish in the journey because the main course is the most memorable.
A Dish Depends On The Ingredients
Quality ingredients result in a delicious dish, and if you fail to see the role each ingredient plays in a recipe, you will almost always produce lackluster results. The same applies to the plans we make in our careers and personal lives; each step helps us progress towards the end goal. However, the amount of effort you put in at each milestone will determine how everything turns out, and half-hearted attempts will ultimately lead to unappealing outcomes.
Every Recipe Is Unique
We also need to understand that no two recipes are the same, and while you may be using the same ingredients, everyone has their own unique flavor. Nobody has the same experiences, and we all have skills, talents, and capabilities that only we can provide. So, whether you’re an introvert, an aspiring musician, or a startup business owner, there’s no merit in comparing yourself to others. Our stories develop differently, so season and experiment as much as you like.
Hygiene, Sanitation, and Safety
Apart from their dishes, chefs pride themselves on personal hygiene, keeping up to standard sanitation, and following safety guidelines. That’s because what they’re serving is not only food but also their accountability, and whatever they prepare will end up in someone’s stomach. This principle is something everyone should observe in their career, and we should practice career hygiene, cleaning up after ourselves, and not having others deal with the mess we’ve made.
- Understanding Responsibility: Just as chefs are responsible for their dishes, we are responsible for the actions we have taken. So, we must never turn our back on our responsibilities because these determine our accountability, not only in the workplace but throughout our life. People will trust you more, open better opportunities, and bring you closer to success.
- Handling Is Everything: Every chef has their own technique, and the handling they practice that happens on the kitchen floor is what separates a good chef from a chef whose worthy of three Michelin stars. So, regardless of your career, do your work diligently, and the results will do the talking.
Don’t Underestimate Cooking
Overall, there’s a lot we can learn from chefs and cooking principles that directly apply to our careers and personal development. While we mostly know cooking as an essential skill, looking at it from a different perspective shows us the importance of growth. So, take all of this advice, implement the necessary changes to your career path, and tell anyone who says otherwise not to underestimate cooking!
