Doing It My Way

Like every seasoned chef that knows her way around the kitchen, I know that one has to come through many trials and errors to make the mark. Doing it my way has been the theme of every quest I have set out on.

There have been many times in my kitchen of life that well-meaning friends and family have wished that I would have prepared my recipes, the way they desired. Better yet, followed someone's already tried and tested ones but I always had to do it my way.

Now, mind you, I have completely burned up a few dishes and had to start all over again many times! Some of them even left the lingering burnt aroma in my kitchen, whereby others could detect it coming in the door! However, it was all those burnt dishes that cause people now to keep coming back to my café! There is something about tenacity in trial and error and doing it your way, which will even eventually lead you to a signature authentic serving. Many times it will cause people to come back for a second serving.

I share with young chefs in my kitchen to not be afraid of mistakes in their dishes, because it is rare that you will be pleased to satisfaction on the first testing. Great chefs spend lots of time doing things over towards perfection. That's why there are so many chefs calling their kitchens, Hell’s fury because it can get so hot, sometimes they just want to scream! The secret to cooling a hot kitchen is to breathe, flow and dance your dance. Enjoy the many combinations of spices that your life experiences bring to your recipes and never be afraid to alter it into your signature piece, by doing it your way.

Here at The Writer's Café, we welcome your authentic signature pieces done your way. There is no right or wrong way here. Your taste testing of life is appreciated, and all we ask is that you be willing to taste other dishes as well. Everyone has something to offer. Sharing each other's dishes brings us more in contact with another's experience. Once we have a little taste sometimes we are pleasantly surprised. There are also times that we discover, there are going to be dishes our pallets just don't take to. I have learned over the years to just be open to trying new recipes, to diversify my forte’. When I discover something that doesn't agree with me, I don't criticize it, I just bookmark that piece for later testing. It doesn't become an absolute no, until I've tried it prepared by different chefs. By just placing it on the back burner, it awaits further investigation at another testing, whereby it may or may not be more agreeable.

Life is that way. We don't always agree with something the first go round. There are only a few things in life that are absolute, mostly life or death. When I share life experiences with those that have chosen to diversify and stay open to life, I am willing to listen to their input. Their willingness causes me to have deep consideration and respect for their position of doing it their way. Rarely am I opened to even hearing those that are rigid in their thinking or one-sided in their belief system of my way or no way. That is usually my queue, to not spend much energy on them, because they also have turned their ears off to any of my suggestions. A promising chef of an authentic signature piece will be open for suggestions, and then they'll put their twist on it.

I am looking forward to the recipes that others choose to serve up at The Writer's Café. Your link to your kitchen will be posted for others to come on over, sit down and have a tasting. Hopefully you will be encouraged by their visit and continued to do it your way!