I wish I had some mushy, made for TV explanation for why I got into the culinary industry, but I don’t. Truth is its the only thing I was good at that I could present as a skill. For a very very brief time I dabbled in the “office life” and failed miserably. Aside from being terrible at it the very idea of doing it for the rest of my life made physically ill. I honestly felt that I had a better chance enduring daily trans-orbital lobotomies with a plastic spoon than sitting in a cubicle 9-5 for 30 years. I am also not going to insult your intelligence by telling you that I saw some deep meaning in cooking, what I saw was 2.6 in. by 6.1 in. green papers with numbers on them. I was able to parlay smaller job into bigger, better paying jobs until started Culinary school. Once cooking became a lifestyle and a passion I began to find meaning in it. Yes Doctors, therapists, lawyers and many other jobs directly impact the lives of many people every day. Cooking provides a different type of impact on people. Think for a second how many fond memories you have that in one way or another involved food. For thousands of years our species has utilized food as a way to facilitate gatherings and please others. I find meaning in that. I am fully cognizant that I am extremely lucky I find meaning inherent in my career choice and passion.