Dinner in Hell's Kitchen!

I watch a show on TV called "Hell's Kitchen" with Chef Gordon Ramsay". It's a reality show about a group of up and coming chefs working their tails off to become the last one. Plus they get an opportunity to become a Head Chef at a glamourous hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

One of the contestants is Danny Veltri from Central Florida. (near where I live) Danny has worked his way into the final 2 spots. He works very hard, has confidence in what he does and understands how to play the game.

I recently tracked him down and he invited me and my daughter to stop in and say "hello" at his restaurant. (as you can imagine, the TV show was probably taped months ago).

I got to thinking about someone in his position.

A) If he wins he gets a bunch of money and a great job.

B) If he loses, he goes back to his regular job at his restaurant.

Right? Not necessarily.

I got a minute to speak with Danny at his restaurant and here is what I suggested to him:

"Hi Danny, Dave Pyke - great to meet you"
"I know you're busy with dinner service so I'll make it quick - I don't know whether you won or lost, but for me you have already won. You're in the public eye, people know you." He nodded in agreement. "You need to write a book ASAP. Put your experience of the show and your favorite recipes in it." He looked at me with a bit of a surprise. "Get the Chef to endorse it, and get yourself on Oprah and sell a million books. It's a win-win situation for you" That's a great idea he exclaimed....

_____________

The story here is that whether he wins the show or not, he still wins. He wins with experience, Of going for it. Making the effort to succeed. Many doors will open for him, not just the one in front of him (i.e. the show)

Take a look around yourself. There are Doors of Opportunity all around you. Open them all. Every one of them. Just like opening up a clam shell... one contains the pearl. You may have to open many of them until you find your pearl. It's out there. You'll find it.

Just like Danny who has many great opportunities to direct the course of his life, you do too. Keep opening the doors. Look around you 360°. Every opportunity will lead you somewhere. And that somewhere maybe just a bit better than where you are right now.


Go for it.

Dave Pyke - Your Goal Keeper

p.s. The dinner was delicious.