Ripples
Ripples
I experienced something extraordinary in my kitchen last night. I guess the best way to describe it is an epiphany. It was the “final” for my March/April basics cooking class. It was a big one, seven, larger than usual, but they all came beautifully together as a group. There were two couples and three individuals.
For the final they choose a four course menu. I also encourage them to invite a guest(s). They chose crab cakes, my signature salad, white king salmon with fennel and leeks and served with a pistachio tarragon cream sauce, and rhubarb crisp for dessert. Each group was charged with bringing wine for one of the courses.
We had five guests in the kitchen to share the evening. The counter was filled to capacity with friends and family. As the evening progressed, I gave a few directions and some coaching, but they truly pulled it all together. For me it’s a real change to be able to spend more time on the front of the counter than behind it. That being the case, I took advantage of the opportunity and spent time talking to the guests.
This was one of the stories I heard from a young woman whose boyfriend had been in the class. She said that he is very committed to his job and usually arrives home at the end of the day totally tired and stressed out, but that over the last month every Wednesday he would return home filled with excitement, ideas and inspiration. They now were cooking together and truly enjoying all of the time they spent together in the kitchen. “you have no idea how much you have inspired him”
Later that evening as I stood at the end of my counter looking down the beautifully lit kitchen filled with friends and family listening to the lively sound of conversation.I realized this. What we share in my kitchen isn’t limited to changing the lives of my students. They take what they have learned home and share it with their friends and families and make a difference in their lives.
Ripples. At that moment I was struck with the beauty and gratitude for the inspiration that led me to create this kitchen and to do what I do. I can’t imagine a more wonderful way to spend my time here. I have a blessed life filled with joy, grace and humor.
