Other people continue to make us better. To challenge yourself with questions and ideas is good, to be challenged by others enables growth and discovery. Aki and I push each other questioning how and why in the kitchen. We are able to develop further by asking questions and having conversations. Some days these conversations turn into arguments, that is OK, for in the end we reach resolve if not a solution. And we do not just have conversations with ourselves, we also bring books into the fray. How then do you converse with a cookbook? Think about how many times you look at the recipe and say, that cannot be right, or how did that idea emerge? It creates one way banter. Actually the book presents its side of the story with the reader filling in the rest of the conversation.
Similarly, I get phone calls from my father while he is shopping for a dinner party. Technology is great. He walks through the store with some part of the menu in his head and we choose ingredients and decide dishes. Later, I get several phone calls during the progression of assembly and he fills me in on how he changed everything, but thanks for the ideas. He forces me to be calculated and spontaneous in conversation, and he is able to learn and then change the ideas of his youthful son.
Consequently, I enjoy picking up the phone and calling other chef's to ask questions and understand old and new concepts in the kitchen. We are able to talk through ideas and uncover new ones. Also, our blog is helping us converse with more individuals as they ask questions or give comments which push and inspire us to delve deeper into the abyss of food.
Sometimes you need to make some noise to be heard. My point is that kitchen conversations are essential to our growth and inspirations.
