I didn’t go to an ordinary cooking school. There was no screaming in the kitchen, a more collective than competing environment and everyone was vegan except me.
I studied to be a Plant Based Chef in Austin, Tx. even the location tells you something about how different it was from other schools. Besides learning about vegan milks and cheeses, ayurvedic practices and many healing techniques, I learnt some practical things that apply past the heat of the kitchen.
Teachers that help you to think by yourself are better than the ones who impose their ideas as the truth.
You learn more from teachers that help you look for various answers for one question, not the ones that simply give your THEIR answers. Getting used to asking questions to the same people, keeps you from finding different points of view and coming up with your own conclusions. One makes you dependent on someone and narrows your vision, the other empowers you to hold opposing views and expand your knowledge.
Making stupid questions is the smartest thing to do.
In the classroom, in the kitchen and in life. It is more stupid to stay with the question than to appear stupid for asking it. Even if the person whose responding finds you stupid, that would be a good thing, they’ll give you a more detailed answer.
You learn more from teachers that tell you the truth than from the ones who simply give you an A.
‘‘You are an idiot and a waste of talent’’ is the best thing a teacher has ever told me. I heard this in art school but it changed me forever.
Only someone who cares about your progress will take the time to call you out on your shit. Being so mediocre someone else could see it, was definitely the wake up call I needed.
Teachers who give you feedback, care about your growth. They won’t give you an A simply for showing up, they’ll tell you how you can better show up.
You’ll learn more from people you actually like.
Or at least people you relate to. If you’re going to invest in a course, class or any therapy session, make sure you like whoever’s teaching it. The energy will vary drastically when you value the person rather than just trying to extract valuable information from them.
When we like and trust someone, we let loose and feel open and receptive to what we’re receiving from them. If you feel a mental block or have a judgment about them, you’ll probably be somewhat blocked to learning from them too.
There’s many entrances to the same thing, go through the one that interests you the most.
Many people end up being great cooks because they love desserts. You try to replicate your favorite cake and one day BINGO! you get the exact same taste. That gives you the confidence to play griller at the next barbecue and suddenly you’re in charge of the Christmas menu.
Point is, it will be easier to enter any field if you grab a strand you’re already interested in. You can create your own entry into any industry or topic of expertise.
I used to identify as a cavewoman. Now I know a thing or too about digital marketing and e commerce because I entered it through publishing my writing (which I love). It applies to many other things where you learn hard things as a side effect of doing something you’re committed to.
Write down what you want to remember.
It doesn’t matter if the recipe’s written perfectly. When it comes to cooking it, you’ll always learn something extra you’ll want to apply next time. Like an in the moment variation or a sudden mistake to avoid next time.
Reading what you wrote takes you back to when you wrote it. More than hearing that sentence, you’ll remember the day, who you where with and the environment.
Write down your AHA moments, that small mistake you don’t want to repeat, the quote that elevated your spirits that morning. Journaling ideas, not only personal experiences, helps us keep track of them.
I don’t journal about my day. I write down the conclusions I came to. And when I go back and read them, I remember what taught them. Like that time I wanted to try that apple pie so bad, I burnt my tongue for not waiting. And I learned that what makes me want to rush, is teaching me patience, because otherwise it burns.
This article has been previously published in Jul 16, 2020 in Marguga’s medium.
You can also read Coffuelled Letters, a publication of letters written in spanish from coffee shops around the world. And follow along on instagram for snippets of the day to day search for inspiration and creativity.
Thank you for being here.
-Marguga