I've been having a thought lately, one that won't stop making me smile. I keep thinking about how food is such a great conductor for love. When I cook a meal for someone, I try my best to infuse it with love, every single time. Blythe, my chef at culinary school, taught me that. He used to say that your job as a chef was a lot more important than you may think, because you have such a power over making people happy. You aren't just filling people's bellies, you are entertaining their palates, and satisfying their senses. You are providing them with a source of pleasure, which isn't always in abundance. For some people, the meal you are prepaing for them could be the highlight of their entire day. That's why it's so important that every dish you serve is a good one.
But it doesn't stop with them. When you make someone happy, they are more likely to walk away from your table and do positive things, which means that every pepper you slice, every dough that you roll, can make a positive impact on the world.
What's more, I belive that you can taste love in food. You can taste the care that was taken in preparing it. You can smell the effort in its creation, the spirit with which it was made. When you eat something made with love, it can nourish your soul as well as your body. Blythe used to say that you should make every dish as if you were cooking it for someone you love. Cook with the love you have for your friends, your family, or even just the food itself. I think that it was the best culinary advice I ever received. Thanks, Blythe!