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I can't tell you how often I am asked the question, "Why do you do it?" This life - this journey of food service - why?

My answer has become both a mockery and a truth, "Because I can't help myself."

This legacy started before my time - generations before me. The life that became the only life my family knew. So many memories of my childhood were spent hanging out in kitchens or on stools in the storage room eating lunch. And I loved it. I loved the excitement of it. And I can't begin to tell you all that I learned.

But then I got older, and the discussions around the dinner table involved choices for me. And by choices I mean working the dishwasher, or taking care of the stock. Those were my options at a time when most of my friends were either still spending their summer days at the pool or babysitting or something else way more fun than what I was about to embark on. That's the thing with a family owned business - the benefits are great, but when you are young you just don't see it. All you can see is that you don't have a choice. And you are convinced that while you are working all summer long everyone else is having way more fun. And you don't care that the money is good or that you live in a great house and have great things. You would give it all up to be able to lay out in the sun all day.

So I worked, and I learned - with attitude - but I did it. And then I started getting to the age when it was time to graduate from high school and everyone assumed I would go off to school to get a degree in all of this madness so I could come back and start my own thing one day to carry on the family dynasty. And that would make me roll my eyes and rattle off something angry about never - ever - wanting to do this for a living. I hated it, hated everything about it.

And I went off and embarked on a life that had nothing to do with any of it. And it was fabulous. And then something inside of me started drawing me back - so I learned, and put into practice what I already knew, and I landed right where I am today.

And I continue to do it because I just can't help myself.

And. As I have said. The liquor helps.

Posted by Foodwhore at September 25, 2007 10:41 AM

Posted by: daddyquatro at September 26, 2007 08:24 PM