01/12/2024
Today, Jan 11th, as I celebrate the anniversary of not just one, but two extraordinary milestones in my culinary journey, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and reflection. Ten years apart, on this very date, I had the honor of participating in two very different competitions that both hold a special place in my heart.
The first, from 2012, was the very first cooking competition I was ever invited to (shoutout Susie Timm!)- a pancake throwdown. I was hesitant, but at Susie’s encouragement, I agreed to join. The sole vegan chef there, I presented two dishes: a tropical paradise pancake featuring pineapple coconut compote, and an orange blossom syrup and a gluten-free, vegan, Mexican hot chocolate pancake with a spiced, and spicy, homemade fudge sauce. I was still rather scrappy at the time- mixing ingredients for my batter in the back of the car en route to the competition. I'll admit, when we arrived, I was very intimidated. Unlike the other chefs, I did not wear (or own) a chef coat, hadn’t brought branding or table decorations, and within 10 mins of the start of the competition, my $19 grocery store griddle dramatically burned out. Kindly, the chef next to us lent us a spare burner so that we could still compete. 300 some odd pancakes later, thrilled to have just survived the experience, we were packing up to head out, never expecting what happened next, “and the winner is…24 Carrots!”. I was in shock, what an incredible honor. The chefs I so admired in that room came over to shake my hand and congratulated me, giving me a much needed boost of confidence that perhaps I did, in fact, belong.
That competition was 4 years into my restaurant journey, 10 years later, I would turn on the television to the Food Network, to watch myself compete again.
I will never forget that day, and will never forget that call- I had locked the door to 24 Carrots for the last time, an abrupt closure, and turned in the keys. 4 hours later I got a call from a producer with Guys Grocery Games. I mentioned that I no longer had a restaurant, knowing that Guy’s shows often supported small, family businesses, and said I would understand if they preferred to lend their support to another. Kindly, their offer remained extended and I accepted.
The evening before the competition, I sat in silence out on my hotel balcony, smiling into the sun, and reminded myself that I was here to cook and to celebrate saying “yes” and challenging my comfort zone.
The competition itself was a blur, a flurry of ingredients and a race against the clock. I had cleared round one, against two esteemed vegan chefs and restaurateurs, and now, in round two, found myself in competition with a seasoned chef, and Food Network Judge. The very people I watched on tv, were standing in front of me, competing beside me….and congratulating my (narrow) win.
It’s shocking how much, and how little, difference 10 years can make. Time did not spare my nerves, but did hone my skill- I had tasted a thousand dishes, plated several thousand more in those 10 years, and competed enough to trust my hands, my heart and myself. I don’t think I could ever thank Guy Fieri, or his team, enough. Insecurity breeds in darkness, the light they shared reminded me of who I am and who I will always be, restaurant or not- a chef.
As I celebrate these twin triumphs, and reflect on the decade of growth in between, I am filled with gratitude for what was and anticipation for what will be.
So my friends, here’s to embracing the journey, to the challenges of tomorrow, to the infinite possibilities of “yes” and to weaving a narrative that inspires me today, and will motivate me tomorrow. ♥️
