you
you [Music]
it is 10 o’clock in the morning on
it is 10 o’clock in the morning on Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing
Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing
Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing outside at Washington DC’s historic
outside at Washington DC’s historic
outside at Washington DC’s historic Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt
Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt
Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about
in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about
in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about to give my first ever live farm market
to give my first ever live farm market
to give my first ever live farm market cooking demonstration I have no culinary
cooking demonstration I have no culinary
cooking demonstration I have no culinary training I have never cooked in front of
training I have never cooked in front of
training I have never cooked in front of an audience and I know so little about
an audience and I know so little about
an audience and I know so little about what I am about to do that two hours
what I am about to do that two hours
what I am about to do that two hours from now I will find myself icing down
from now I will find myself icing down
from now I will find myself icing down salad balls because the greens are
salad balls because the greens are
salad balls because the greens are melting when they hit the hot metal
melting when they hit the hot metal
melting when they hit the hot metal things could look better on this same
things could look better on this same
things could look better on this same morning I am eight years into a
morning I am eight years into a
morning I am eight years into a successful career as director of
successful career as director of
successful career as director of membership and marketing for a national
membership and marketing for a national
membership and marketing for a national trade association I live in a beautiful
trade association I live in a beautiful
trade association I live in a beautiful neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my
neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my
neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my incredible husband of two years Jason at
incredible husband of two years Jason at
incredible husband of two years Jason at 37 years old I have checked every before
37 years old I have checked every before
37 years old I have checked every before you turn 40 box and life is good but on
you turn 40 box and life is good but on
you turn 40 box and life is good but on this morning when I step up to my table
this morning when I step up to my table
this morning when I step up to my table and I start cooking and I start talking
and I start cooking and I start talking
and I start cooking and I start talking and the first person walks up I come
and the first person walks up I come
and the first person walks up I come alive three hours later sunburned and
alive three hours later sunburned and
alive three hours later sunburned and drained I am bursting with energy joy
drained I am bursting with energy joy
drained I am bursting with energy joy and satisfaction I feel amazing
and satisfaction I feel amazing
and satisfaction I feel amazing the following Monday I’m back in my
the following Monday I’m back in my
the following Monday I’m back in my air-conditioned office I’m wearing a
air-conditioned office I’m wearing a
air-conditioned office I’m wearing a suit and I’m doing director of
suit and I’m doing director of
suit and I’m doing director of membership and marketing stuff but I
membership and marketing stuff but I
membership and marketing stuff but I returned to the market to cook the
returned to the market to cook the
returned to the market to cook the following weekend and the next and the
following weekend and the next and the
following weekend and the next and the next I am back there every Saturday week
next I am back there every Saturday week
next I am back there every Saturday week after week without fail and without pay
after week without fail and without pay
after week without fail and without pay so fast forward two years later my boss
so fast forward two years later my boss
so fast forward two years later my boss Bob is retiring and a week before he
Bob is retiring and a week before he
Bob is retiring and a week before he leaves he calls me into his office gives
leaves he calls me into his office gives
leaves he calls me into his office gives me a huge raise and says Jonathan you
me a huge raise and says Jonathan you
me a huge raise and says Jonathan you are smart and really good at what you do
are smart and really good at what you do
are smart and really good at what you do if you keep going within a few years
if you keep going within a few years
if you keep going within a few years you’ll be the CEO of a national trade
you’ll be the CEO of a national trade
you’ll be the CEO of a national trade but I see the passion you have for these
but I see the passion you have for these
but I see the passion you have for these cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s
cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s
cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s time to make a choice if you stay the
time to make a choice if you stay the
time to make a choice if you stay the course you will be successful but if you
course you will be successful but if you
course you will be successful but if you pursue cooking I think you could achieve
pursue cooking I think you could achieve
pursue cooking I think you could achieve far greater success or you could fail
far greater success or you could fail
far greater success or you could fail it’s time to make a choice and decide
it’s time to make a choice and decide
it’s time to make a choice and decide how much of a risk you are willing to
how much of a risk you are willing to
how much of a risk you are willing to take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly
take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly
take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly three years to the day from my first
three years to the day from my first
three years to the day from my first live cooking demonstration I went
live cooking demonstration I went
live cooking demonstration I went full-time as a storyteller cook and
full-time as a storyteller cook and
full-time as a storyteller cook and author I have now performed live in
author I have now performed live in
author I have now performed live in front of more than 300 audiences I’ve
front of more than 300 audiences I’ve
front of more than 300 audiences I’ve written three books of stories and
written three books of stories and
written three books of stories and recipes I have filmed YouTube series for
recipes I have filmed YouTube series for
recipes I have filmed YouTube series for multiple clients I’ve been interviewed
multiple clients I’ve been interviewed
multiple clients I’ve been interviewed by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear
by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear
by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear in the Washington Post I have by every
in the Washington Post I have by every
in the Washington Post I have by every measure far exceeded the success I ever
measure far exceeded the success I ever
measure far exceeded the success I ever enjoyed as an association exec but more
enjoyed as an association exec but more
enjoyed as an association exec but more importantly I get to spend every day
importantly I get to spend every day
importantly I get to spend every day bringing people joy at farm markets in
bringing people joy at farm markets in
bringing people joy at farm markets in offices at conferences in their homes
offices at conferences in their homes
offices at conferences in their homes most importantly though I have days when
most importantly though I have days when
most importantly though I have days when I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I
I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I
I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I have days when I don’t feel like doing
have days when I don’t feel like doing
have days when I don’t feel like doing the work in front of me but since I made
the work in front of me but since I made
the work in front of me but since I made this choice I haven’t had a bad day
this choice I haven’t had a bad day
this choice I haven’t had a bad day not one not even when I have to get the
not one not even when I have to get the
not one not even when I have to get the bookkeeping done and this work brings me
bookkeeping done and this work brings me
bookkeeping done and this work brings me joy and that joy makes me a better
joy and that joy makes me a better
joy and that joy makes me a better husband a better son a better brother
husband a better son a better brother
husband a better son a better brother and a better uncle so awesome go be
and a better uncle so awesome go be
and a better uncle so awesome go be amazing and seen but wait what does it
amazing and seen but wait what does it
amazing and seen but wait what does it mean to be amazing do you just leave
mean to be amazing do you just leave
mean to be amazing do you just leave your boring office job and go become an
your boring office job and go become an
your boring office job and go become an artist or an activist No
artist or an activist No
artist or an activist No the problem wasn’t my job as director of
the problem wasn’t my job as director of
the problem wasn’t my job as director of membership in marketing the problem and
membership in marketing the problem and
membership in marketing the problem and this is how I define being amazing is
this is how I define being amazing is
this is how I define being amazing is that in that job I was not fully using
that in that job I was not fully using
that in that job I was not fully using the gifts the strengths and the talents
the gifts the strengths and the talents
the gifts the strengths and the talents that I’ve been given I was working for
that I’ve been given I was working for
that I’ve been given I was working for the American nursery and landscaping so
the American nursery and landscaping so
the American nursery and landscaping so see a ssin it’s an organization that
see a ssin it’s an organization that
see a ssin it’s an organization that supports an industry that I believe in
supports an industry that I believe in
supports an industry that I believe in it’s one I grew up in my family owned
it’s one I grew up in my family owned
it’s one I grew up in my family owned garden centers and landscape business
garden centers and landscape business
garden centers and landscape business the work that we did help build more
the work that we did help build more
the work that we did help build more successful businesses those businesses
successful businesses those businesses
successful businesses those businesses in turn contributed to stronger
in turn contributed to stronger
in turn contributed to stronger communities and economies and they
communities and economies and they
communities and economies and they supported all of the the owners their
supported all of the the owners their
supported all of the the owners their employees and all of their families I
employees and all of their families I
employees and all of their families I was good at my job but someone who is
was good at my job but someone who is
was good at my job but someone who is using their gifts to be an amazing
using their gifts to be an amazing
using their gifts to be an amazing director of membership and marketing
director of membership and marketing
director of membership and marketing would have brought in more dollars and
would have brought in more dollars and
would have brought in more dollars and more voices to support the other people
more voices to support the other people
more voices to support the other people on our team who were using their gifts
on our team who were using their gifts
on our team who were using their gifts to be amazing lobbyists and meeting
to be amazing lobbyists and meeting
to be amazing lobbyists and meeting planners and delivered more value to our
planners and delivered more value to our
planners and delivered more value to our members my boss Bob was right the path I
members my boss Bob was right the path I
members my boss Bob was right the path I chose presented a great risk but not
chose presented a great risk but not
chose presented a great risk but not choosing that path presented in even
choosing that path presented in even
choosing that path presented in even greater cost when we choose not to be
greater cost when we choose not to be
greater cost when we choose not to be amazing not to embrace and pursue our
amazing not to embrace and pursue our
amazing not to embrace and pursue our passions not to use our great and
passions not to use our great and
passions not to use our great and special gifts we leave our communities
special gifts we leave our communities
special gifts we leave our communities our economies and our society poorer and
our economies and our society poorer and
our economies and our society poorer and that impact is felt daily by the people
that impact is felt daily by the people
that impact is felt daily by the people we love our friends our parents our
we love our friends our parents our
we love our friends our parents our children our partners so being amazing
children our partners so being amazing
children our partners so being amazing it’s not so simple as just going and
it’s not so simple as just going and
it’s not so simple as just going and pursuing a career that is creative or
pursuing a career that is creative or
pursuing a career that is creative or mission driven although that may be your
mission driven although that may be your
mission driven although that may be your path
path
path it is about pushing ourselves to find
it is about pushing ourselves to find
it is about pushing ourselves to find work that allows us to leverage our
work that allows us to leverage our
work that allows us to leverage our gifts and by doing that to create value
gifts and by doing that to create value
gifts and by doing that to create value value that is measured in impact in
value that is measured in impact in
value that is measured in impact in dollars and enjoy so how do you do it
dollars and enjoy so how do you do it
dollars and enjoy so how do you do it well it is not a straight line path when
well it is not a straight line path when
well it is not a straight line path when I was young I wanted to be a teacher in
I was young I wanted to be a teacher in
I was young I wanted to be a teacher in high school and college I pursued
high school and college I pursued
high school and college I pursued theater
theater
theater my early 20s I discovered my passion for
my early 20s I discovered my passion for
my early 20s I discovered my passion for cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an
cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an
cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an MBA and went off to a corporate
MBA and went off to a corporate
MBA and went off to a corporate marketing job I was 37 years old before
marketing job I was 37 years old before
marketing job I was 37 years old before I gave my first cooking demonstration
I gave my first cooking demonstration
I gave my first cooking demonstration looking back it all makes perfect sense
looking back it all makes perfect sense
looking back it all makes perfect sense but looking forward I never could have
but looking forward I never could have
but looking forward I never could have predicted this path and I don’t know
predicted this path and I don’t know
predicted this path and I don’t know where it’s taking me from here so I
where it’s taking me from here so I
where it’s taking me from here so I can’t give you a roadmap to happiness
can’t give you a roadmap to happiness
can’t give you a roadmap to happiness and success but I can help set your
and success but I can help set your
and success but I can help set your compass first trust the future I spent
compass first trust the future I spent
compass first trust the future I spent so much time worried about money and
so much time worried about money and
so much time worried about money and success I gave everyone else the advice
success I gave everyone else the advice
success I gave everyone else the advice to follow their passions use their gifts
to follow their passions use their gifts
to follow their passions use their gifts be amazing do what you love and don’t
be amazing do what you love and don’t
be amazing do what you love and don’t worry about the rest it was terrifying
worry about the rest it was terrifying
worry about the rest it was terrifying when I took that advice for myself but I
when I took that advice for myself but I
when I took that advice for myself but I believed in it now more than ever you
believed in it now more than ever you
believed in it now more than ever you may not make the most money and you may
may not make the most money and you may
may not make the most money and you may not enjoy the most widely recognized
not enjoy the most widely recognized
not enjoy the most widely recognized success but in doing this you will find
success but in doing this you will find
success but in doing this you will find joy and in that joy you will find all
joy and in that joy you will find all
joy and in that joy you will find all the money and success that you need and
the money and success that you need and
the money and success that you need and if you need a lot you can find a lot
if you need a lot you can find a lot
if you need a lot you can find a lot someone here is sitting and thinking but
someone here is sitting and thinking but
someone here is sitting and thinking but what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth
what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth
what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray
Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray
Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin
Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin
Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin young in 2015 about her new book big
young in 2015 about her new book big
young in 2015 about her new book big magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you
magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you
magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you have any advice for people on following
have any advice for people on following
have any advice for people on following your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t
your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t
your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t I think if you have a passion by
I think if you have a passion by
I think if you have a passion by definition you’re already following it
definition you’re already following it
definition you’re already following it they passions don’t give us much choice
they passions don’t give us much choice
they passions don’t give us much choice all right Robin said well what if you
all right Robin said well what if you
all right Robin said well what if you don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said
don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said
don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said follow your curiosity find something
follow your curiosity find something
follow your curiosity find something that interests you and research it
that interests you and research it
that interests you and research it pursue it build a life and a career
pursue it build a life and a career
pursue it build a life and a career around it there are far worse ways to
around it there are far worse ways to
around it there are far worse ways to live than following your curiosity okay
live than following your curiosity okay
live than following your curiosity okay but before you give up on having a
but before you give up on having a
but before you give up on having a passion I have one more thought what is
passion I have one more thought what is
passion I have one more thought what is the last thing you did that was
the last thing you did that was
the last thing you did that was exceptional that made you feel so good
exceptional that made you feel so good
exceptional that made you feel so good so proud to have accomplished that
so proud to have accomplished that
so proud to have accomplished that brought you joy is that what you’re
brought you joy is that what you’re
brought you joy is that what you’re doing right now I think there are people
doing right now I think there are people
doing right now I think there are people who have a passion to use their gifts to
who have a passion to use their gifts to
who have a passion to use their gifts to be amazing doctors and artists to build
be amazing doctors and artists to build
be amazing doctors and artists to build schools in third-world countries or to
schools in third-world countries or to
schools in third-world countries or to bring people joy and better health as
bring people joy and better health as
bring people joy and better health as personal trainers and I think there are
personal trainers and I think there are
personal trainers and I think there are people for whom their passion is not
people for whom their passion is not
people for whom their passion is not about their job at all I had a classmate
about their job at all I had a classmate
about their job at all I had a classmate in grad school
in grad school
in grad school Kelly Dawson Kelly could read
Kelly Dawson Kelly could read
Kelly Dawson Kelly could read spreadsheets like they were novels while
spreadsheets like they were novels while
spreadsheets like they were novels while the rest of us were scrambling around
the rest of us were scrambling around
the rest of us were scrambling around analyzing data
analyzing data
analyzing data Kelly was reading between the lines to
Kelly was reading between the lines to
Kelly was reading between the lines to see decisions that had been made and
see decisions that had been made and
see decisions that had been made and strategies that had been set today Kelly
strategies that had been set today Kelly
strategies that had been set today Kelly is using her gifts as an amazing CPA
is using her gifts as an amazing CPA
is using her gifts as an amazing CPA supporting a nonprofit that seeks to
supporting a nonprofit that seeks to
supporting a nonprofit that seeks to build stronger families in at-risk
build stronger families in at-risk
build stronger families in at-risk communities there is my accountant Steve
communities there is my accountant Steve
communities there is my accountant Steve little wood who has a passion for seeing
little wood who has a passion for seeing
little wood who has a passion for seeing small businesses grow and succeed Steve
small businesses grow and succeed Steve
small businesses grow and succeed Steve is good at giving advice on things like
is good at giving advice on things like
is good at giving advice on things like tax strategy and and spending but when
tax strategy and and spending but when
tax strategy and and spending but when there’s a problem he comes alive I even
there’s a problem he comes alive I even
there’s a problem he comes alive I even an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes
an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes
an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes and he will see the businesses through
and he will see the businesses through
and he will see the businesses through to brighter futures I don’t know if
to brighter futures I don’t know if
to brighter futures I don’t know if either Steve or Kelly would claim a
either Steve or Kelly would claim a
either Steve or Kelly would claim a passion for accounting but they are both
passion for accounting but they are both
passion for accounting but they are both clearly living their passions
clearly living their passions
clearly living their passions nonetheless so what is the last thing
nonetheless so what is the last thing
nonetheless so what is the last thing you did that was exceptional take the
you did that was exceptional take the
you did that was exceptional take the time and the risks to follow that thread
time and the risks to follow that thread
time and the risks to follow that thread that curiosity talked to people try
that curiosity talked to people try
that curiosity talked to people try things until you are spending more and
things until you are spending more and
things until you are spending more and more time being amazing creating value
more time being amazing creating value
more time being amazing creating value and creating joy in your life and for
and creating joy in your life and for
and creating joy in your life and for the people you share it with so that’s
the people you share it with so that’s
the people you share it with so that’s it
it
it follow your passion find joy be amazing
follow your passion find joy be amazing
follow your passion find joy be amazing and there is one more thing every day on
and there is one more thing every day on
and there is one more thing every day on this path I face fear and the greatest
this path I face fear and the greatest
this path I face fear and the greatest of those fears is the fear of failure
of those fears is the fear of failure
of those fears is the fear of failure the fear that I’m going to follow my
the fear that I’m going to follow my
the fear that I’m going to follow my dreams and passions that I am going to
dreams and passions that I am going to
dreams and passions that I am going to fully employ my greatest gifts and I
fully employ my greatest gifts and I
fully employ my greatest gifts and I will still fall short my first book took
will still fall short my first book took
will still fall short my first book took two years to achieve the sales that I
two years to achieve the sales that I
two years to achieve the sales that I expected to see in two months there was
expected to see in two months there was
expected to see in two months there was that cooking demonstration I did at USDA
that cooking demonstration I did at USDA
that cooking demonstration I did at USDA where I forgot to bring a knife which is
where I forgot to bring a knife which is
where I forgot to bring a knife which is the one tool that you need to have if
the one tool that you need to have if
the one tool that you need to have if you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking demonstration
demonstration
demonstration there’s the demonstration where I forgot
there’s the demonstration where I forgot
there’s the demonstration where I forgot to bring a cutting board that would be
to bring a cutting board that would be
to bring a cutting board that would be the other tool that you need to have if
the other tool that you need to have if
the other tool that you need to have if you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking demonstration but enough about the small
demonstration but enough about the small
demonstration but enough about the small stuff I want to talk about just how
stuff I want to talk about just how
stuff I want to talk about just how badly you can fail and still come back
badly you can fail and still come back
badly you can fail and still come back when I was 20 or 21 years old I took
when I was 20 or 21 years old I took
when I was 20 or 21 years old I took over cooking Christmas dinner from my
over cooking Christmas dinner from my
over cooking Christmas dinner from my mom I’m one of three she is one of seven
mom I’m one of three she is one of seven
mom I’m one of three she is one of seven so usually there’d be about 10 of us
so usually there’d be about 10 of us
so usually there’d be about 10 of us around the table on Christmas Day my
around the table on Christmas Day my
around the table on Christmas Day my immediate family a few older relatives
immediate family a few older relatives
immediate family a few older relatives two days later my mom’s six brothers and
two days later my mom’s six brothers and
two days later my mom’s six brothers and sisters all married all with children
sisters all married all with children
sisters all married all with children would descend upon the house 40 people
would descend upon the house 40 people
would descend upon the house 40 people in all and she would cook a second
in all and she would cook a second
in all and she would cook a second Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20
Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20
Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20 or 21 she’s not having fun with this
or 21 she’s not having fun with this
or 21 she’s not having fun with this anymore so I said at least let me take
anymore so I said at least let me take
anymore so I said at least let me take over Christmas Day she says yes and the
over Christmas Day she says yes and the
over Christmas Day she says yes and the third year I’m doing this I decide that
third year I’m doing this I decide that
third year I’m doing this I decide that I’m going to make beef wellington and
I’m going to make beef wellington and
I’m going to make beef wellington and Baked Alaska I had never made either of
Baked Alaska I had never made either of
Baked Alaska I had never made either of those before in my life and so I started
those before in my life and so I started
those before in my life and so I started looking for recipes online this was a
looking for recipes online this was a
looking for recipes online this was a little early in the internet so I
little early in the internet so I
little early in the internet so I couldn’t find them there I go to my
couldn’t find them there I go to my
couldn’t find them there I go to my collection of cookbooks that start
collection of cookbooks that start
collection of cookbooks that start flipping through the 1970s ruined beef
flipping through the 1970s ruined beef
flipping through the 1970s ruined beef wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone
wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone
wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone so I couldn’t find them there either my
so I couldn’t find them there either my
so I couldn’t find them there either my mom finally finds him in in an old Julia
mom finally finds him in in an old Julia
mom finally finds him in in an old Julia Child TV series cookbook buys the
Child TV series cookbook buys the
Child TV series cookbook buys the ingredients for me and I opened up the
ingredients for me and I opened up the
ingredients for me and I opened up the cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the
cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the
cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the first set of instructions is how to make
first set of instructions is how to make
first set of instructions is how to make the 24 hour marinade for the beef
the 24 hour marinade for the beef
the 24 hour marinade for the beef I had a lot less experience and a lot
I had a lot less experience and a lot
I had a lot less experience and a lot more confidence back then so I thought
more confidence back then so I thought
more confidence back then so I thought I’m good I kept reading the next set of
I’m good I kept reading the next set of
I’m good I kept reading the next set of instructions was how to make the pastry
instructions was how to make the pastry
instructions was how to make the pastry from scratch to wrap around the beef I
from scratch to wrap around the beef I
from scratch to wrap around the beef I still thought I was good in fact I was
still thought I was good in fact I was
still thought I was good in fact I was so confident I went right ahead and made
so confident I went right ahead and made
so confident I went right ahead and made the ice cream and the sponge cake from
the ice cream and the sponge cake from
the ice cream and the sponge cake from scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see
scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see
scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see where this is headed
where this is headed
where this is headed at 11:30 the next night my irate family
at 11:30 the next night my irate family
at 11:30 the next night my irate family finally sits down to Christmas dinner
finally sits down to Christmas dinner
finally sits down to Christmas dinner and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked
and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked
and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked Alaska and usually when you serve a
Alaska and usually when you serve a
Alaska and usually when you serve a Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over
Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over
Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over the top and I had never flamed alcohol
the top and I had never flamed alcohol
the top and I had never flamed alcohol before in my life I didn’t know it helps
before in my life I didn’t know it helps
before in my life I didn’t know it helps if you warm it up a little bit first so
if you warm it up a little bit first so
if you warm it up a little bit first so I end up pouring an entire bottle of
I end up pouring an entire bottle of
I end up pouring an entire bottle of cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska
cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska
cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska none of it burning off by the end of
none of it burning off by the end of
none of it burning off by the end of dinner my entire family is now asleep
dinner my entire family is now asleep
dinner my entire family is now asleep except for my 11 year old brother who is
except for my 11 year old brother who is
except for my 11 year old brother who is completely trashed at which point I
completely trashed at which point I
completely trashed at which point I announce that I’m gonna make this same
announce that I’m gonna make this same
announce that I’m gonna make this same meal one year later and get it right and
meal one year later and get it right and
meal one year later and get it right and for some reason they say yes so
for some reason they say yes so
for some reason they say yes so fast-forward 12 months December 25th one
fast-forward 12 months December 25th one
fast-forward 12 months December 25th one year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef
year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef
year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I
wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I
wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and
pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and
pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and this thing is enormous
this thing is enormous
this thing is enormous the platter it’s on is so big my mom
the platter it’s on is so big my mom
the platter it’s on is so big my mom only has one trade that it will fit on
only has one trade that it will fit on
only has one trade that it will fit on it’s about a half an inch bigger all the
it’s about a half an inch bigger all the
it’s about a half an inch bigger all the way around so I set the platter on the
way around so I set the platter on the
way around so I set the platter on the tray I walk into the dining room and I
tray I walk into the dining room and I
tray I walk into the dining room and I set the tray on the hot pads in the
set the tray on the hot pads in the
set the tray on the hot pads in the middle of the dining room table I’ve
middle of the dining room table I’ve
middle of the dining room table I’ve learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so
learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so
learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so there’s a small pan of warm cherry
there’s a small pan of warm cherry
there’s a small pan of warm cherry brandy over on the side boards I drop in
brandy over on the side boards I drop in
brandy over on the side boards I drop in a match blue flames perfect i dim the
a match blue flames perfect i dim the
a match blue flames perfect i dim the lights pour some over the top there
lights pour some over the top there
lights pour some over the top there smiling faces all around it is magic and
smiling faces all around it is magic and
smiling faces all around it is magic and there’s more alcohol burning in the pan
there’s more alcohol burning in the pan
there’s more alcohol burning in the pan and I pour some over the top and Norman
and I pour some over the top and Norman
and I pour some over the top and Norman Rockwell’s should have been in my
Rockwell’s should have been in my
Rockwell’s should have been in my family’s dining room capturing this
family’s dining room capturing this
family’s dining room capturing this moment and there’s more alcohol in the
moment and there’s more alcohol in the
moment and there’s more alcohol in the pan so I poured over the top and that’s
pan so I poured over the top and that’s
pan so I poured over the top and that’s the moment when well it leaps right over
the moment when well it leaps right over
the moment when well it leaps right over the edge of the train to the friends on
the edge of the train to the friends on
the edge of the train to the friends on the hop hadn’t sets the dining room
the hop hadn’t sets the dining room
the hop hadn’t sets the dining room table on fire
table on fire
table on fire and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt
and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt
and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt so I am stopping out the flames and I
so I am stopping out the flames and I
so I am stopping out the flames and I finally get the table extinguished and
finally get the table extinguished and
finally get the table extinguished and decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in
decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in
decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in the dining room anymore
the dining room anymore
the dining room anymore let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up
let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up
let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up the pan and I start walking forward if
the pan and I start walking forward if
the pan and I start walking forward if you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of
you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of
you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of flaming alcohol before you may know the
flaming alcohol before you may know the
flaming alcohol before you may know the flames jet backwards I used to have a
flames jet backwards I used to have a
flames jet backwards I used to have a lot more hair than this so I am I am now
lot more hair than this so I am I am now
lot more hair than this so I am I am now walking sideways and inside skip the
walking sideways and inside skip the
walking sideways and inside skip the kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door
kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door
kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door to the brick patio I get to the door is
to the brick patio I get to the door is
to the brick patio I get to the door is December 25th in New England there’s a
December 25th in New England there’s a
December 25th in New England there’s a brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way
brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way
brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way this pan is getting out the door at the
this pan is getting out the door at the
this pan is getting out the door at the same time as me so I finally throw it
same time as me so I finally throw it
same time as me so I finally throw it out onto the bricks where it burns
out onto the bricks where it burns
out onto the bricks where it burns itself out and they still let me cook
itself out and they still let me cook
itself out and they still let me cook Christmas dinner every year no matter
Christmas dinner every year no matter
Christmas dinner every year no matter how badly you mess up you can always
how badly you mess up you can always
how badly you mess up you can always come back so get out there make mistakes
come back so get out there make mistakes
come back so get out there make mistakes trust the future to hold everything that
trust the future to hold everything that
trust the future to hold everything that you need and desire as you follow your
you need and desire as you follow your
you need and desire as you follow your passion and you use your gift and be
passion and you use your gift and be
passion and you use your gift and be amazing we need you
you [Music]
it is 10 o’clock in the morning on
it is 10 o’clock in the morning on Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing
Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing
Saturday July 30th 2011 and I’m standing outside at Washington DC’s historic
outside at Washington DC’s historic
outside at Washington DC’s historic Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt
Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt
Eastern Market on a small patch of dirt in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about
in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about
in 97 degree heat with that 1/10 about to give my first ever live farm market
to give my first ever live farm market
to give my first ever live farm market cooking demonstration I have no culinary
cooking demonstration I have no culinary
cooking demonstration I have no culinary training I have never cooked in front of
training I have never cooked in front of
training I have never cooked in front of an audience and I know so little about
an audience and I know so little about
an audience and I know so little about what I am about to do that two hours
what I am about to do that two hours
what I am about to do that two hours from now I will find myself icing down
from now I will find myself icing down
from now I will find myself icing down salad balls because the greens are
salad balls because the greens are
salad balls because the greens are melting when they hit the hot metal
melting when they hit the hot metal
melting when they hit the hot metal things could look better on this same
things could look better on this same
things could look better on this same morning I am eight years into a
morning I am eight years into a
morning I am eight years into a successful career as director of
successful career as director of
successful career as director of membership and marketing for a national
membership and marketing for a national
membership and marketing for a national trade association I live in a beautiful
trade association I live in a beautiful
trade association I live in a beautiful neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my
neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my
neighborhood on Capitol Hill with my incredible husband of two years Jason at
incredible husband of two years Jason at
incredible husband of two years Jason at 37 years old I have checked every before
37 years old I have checked every before
37 years old I have checked every before you turn 40 box and life is good but on
you turn 40 box and life is good but on
you turn 40 box and life is good but on this morning when I step up to my table
this morning when I step up to my table
this morning when I step up to my table and I start cooking and I start talking
and I start cooking and I start talking
and I start cooking and I start talking and the first person walks up I come
and the first person walks up I come
and the first person walks up I come alive three hours later sunburned and
alive three hours later sunburned and
alive three hours later sunburned and drained I am bursting with energy joy
drained I am bursting with energy joy
drained I am bursting with energy joy and satisfaction I feel amazing
and satisfaction I feel amazing
and satisfaction I feel amazing the following Monday I’m back in my
the following Monday I’m back in my
the following Monday I’m back in my air-conditioned office I’m wearing a
air-conditioned office I’m wearing a
air-conditioned office I’m wearing a suit and I’m doing director of
suit and I’m doing director of
suit and I’m doing director of membership and marketing stuff but I
membership and marketing stuff but I
membership and marketing stuff but I returned to the market to cook the
returned to the market to cook the
returned to the market to cook the following weekend and the next and the
following weekend and the next and the
following weekend and the next and the next I am back there every Saturday week
next I am back there every Saturday week
next I am back there every Saturday week after week without fail and without pay
after week without fail and without pay
after week without fail and without pay so fast forward two years later my boss
so fast forward two years later my boss
so fast forward two years later my boss Bob is retiring and a week before he
Bob is retiring and a week before he
Bob is retiring and a week before he leaves he calls me into his office gives
leaves he calls me into his office gives
leaves he calls me into his office gives me a huge raise and says Jonathan you
me a huge raise and says Jonathan you
me a huge raise and says Jonathan you are smart and really good at what you do
are smart and really good at what you do
are smart and really good at what you do if you keep going within a few years
if you keep going within a few years
if you keep going within a few years you’ll be the CEO of a national trade
you’ll be the CEO of a national trade
you’ll be the CEO of a national trade but I see the passion you have for these
but I see the passion you have for these
but I see the passion you have for these cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s
cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s
cooking demonstrations you’re doing it’s time to make a choice if you stay the
time to make a choice if you stay the
time to make a choice if you stay the course you will be successful but if you
course you will be successful but if you
course you will be successful but if you pursue cooking I think you could achieve
pursue cooking I think you could achieve
pursue cooking I think you could achieve far greater success or you could fail
far greater success or you could fail
far greater success or you could fail it’s time to make a choice and decide
it’s time to make a choice and decide
it’s time to make a choice and decide how much of a risk you are willing to
how much of a risk you are willing to
how much of a risk you are willing to take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly
take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly
take on August 1st 2014 almost exactly three years to the day from my first
three years to the day from my first
three years to the day from my first live cooking demonstration I went
live cooking demonstration I went
live cooking demonstration I went full-time as a storyteller cook and
full-time as a storyteller cook and
full-time as a storyteller cook and author I have now performed live in
author I have now performed live in
author I have now performed live in front of more than 300 audiences I’ve
front of more than 300 audiences I’ve
front of more than 300 audiences I’ve written three books of stories and
written three books of stories and
written three books of stories and recipes I have filmed YouTube series for
recipes I have filmed YouTube series for
recipes I have filmed YouTube series for multiple clients I’ve been interviewed
multiple clients I’ve been interviewed
multiple clients I’ve been interviewed by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear
by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear
by USA Today and I’ve had recipes appear in the Washington Post I have by every
in the Washington Post I have by every
in the Washington Post I have by every measure far exceeded the success I ever
measure far exceeded the success I ever
measure far exceeded the success I ever enjoyed as an association exec but more
enjoyed as an association exec but more
enjoyed as an association exec but more importantly I get to spend every day
importantly I get to spend every day
importantly I get to spend every day bringing people joy at farm markets in
bringing people joy at farm markets in
bringing people joy at farm markets in offices at conferences in their homes
offices at conferences in their homes
offices at conferences in their homes most importantly though I have days when
most importantly though I have days when
most importantly though I have days when I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I
I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I
I’m afraid I have days when I am tired I have days when I don’t feel like doing
have days when I don’t feel like doing
have days when I don’t feel like doing the work in front of me but since I made
the work in front of me but since I made
the work in front of me but since I made this choice I haven’t had a bad day
this choice I haven’t had a bad day
this choice I haven’t had a bad day not one not even when I have to get the
not one not even when I have to get the
not one not even when I have to get the bookkeeping done and this work brings me
bookkeeping done and this work brings me
bookkeeping done and this work brings me joy and that joy makes me a better
joy and that joy makes me a better
joy and that joy makes me a better husband a better son a better brother
husband a better son a better brother
husband a better son a better brother and a better uncle so awesome go be
and a better uncle so awesome go be
and a better uncle so awesome go be amazing and seen but wait what does it
amazing and seen but wait what does it
amazing and seen but wait what does it mean to be amazing do you just leave
mean to be amazing do you just leave
mean to be amazing do you just leave your boring office job and go become an
your boring office job and go become an
your boring office job and go become an artist or an activist No
artist or an activist No
artist or an activist No the problem wasn’t my job as director of
the problem wasn’t my job as director of
the problem wasn’t my job as director of membership in marketing the problem and
membership in marketing the problem and
membership in marketing the problem and this is how I define being amazing is
this is how I define being amazing is
this is how I define being amazing is that in that job I was not fully using
that in that job I was not fully using
that in that job I was not fully using the gifts the strengths and the talents
the gifts the strengths and the talents
the gifts the strengths and the talents that I’ve been given I was working for
that I’ve been given I was working for
that I’ve been given I was working for the American nursery and landscaping so
the American nursery and landscaping so
the American nursery and landscaping so see a ssin it’s an organization that
see a ssin it’s an organization that
see a ssin it’s an organization that supports an industry that I believe in
supports an industry that I believe in
supports an industry that I believe in it’s one I grew up in my family owned
it’s one I grew up in my family owned
it’s one I grew up in my family owned garden centers and landscape business
garden centers and landscape business
garden centers and landscape business the work that we did help build more
the work that we did help build more
the work that we did help build more successful businesses those businesses
successful businesses those businesses
successful businesses those businesses in turn contributed to stronger
in turn contributed to stronger
in turn contributed to stronger communities and economies and they
communities and economies and they
communities and economies and they supported all of the the owners their
supported all of the the owners their
supported all of the the owners their employees and all of their families I
employees and all of their families I
employees and all of their families I was good at my job but someone who is
was good at my job but someone who is
was good at my job but someone who is using their gifts to be an amazing
using their gifts to be an amazing
using their gifts to be an amazing director of membership and marketing
director of membership and marketing
director of membership and marketing would have brought in more dollars and
would have brought in more dollars and
would have brought in more dollars and more voices to support the other people
more voices to support the other people
more voices to support the other people on our team who were using their gifts
on our team who were using their gifts
on our team who were using their gifts to be amazing lobbyists and meeting
to be amazing lobbyists and meeting
to be amazing lobbyists and meeting planners and delivered more value to our
planners and delivered more value to our
planners and delivered more value to our members my boss Bob was right the path I
members my boss Bob was right the path I
members my boss Bob was right the path I chose presented a great risk but not
chose presented a great risk but not
chose presented a great risk but not choosing that path presented in even
choosing that path presented in even
choosing that path presented in even greater cost when we choose not to be
greater cost when we choose not to be
greater cost when we choose not to be amazing not to embrace and pursue our
amazing not to embrace and pursue our
amazing not to embrace and pursue our passions not to use our great and
passions not to use our great and
passions not to use our great and special gifts we leave our communities
special gifts we leave our communities
special gifts we leave our communities our economies and our society poorer and
our economies and our society poorer and
our economies and our society poorer and that impact is felt daily by the people
that impact is felt daily by the people
that impact is felt daily by the people we love our friends our parents our
we love our friends our parents our
we love our friends our parents our children our partners so being amazing
children our partners so being amazing
children our partners so being amazing it’s not so simple as just going and
it’s not so simple as just going and
it’s not so simple as just going and pursuing a career that is creative or
pursuing a career that is creative or
pursuing a career that is creative or mission driven although that may be your
mission driven although that may be your
mission driven although that may be your path
path
path it is about pushing ourselves to find
it is about pushing ourselves to find
it is about pushing ourselves to find work that allows us to leverage our
work that allows us to leverage our
work that allows us to leverage our gifts and by doing that to create value
gifts and by doing that to create value
gifts and by doing that to create value value that is measured in impact in
value that is measured in impact in
value that is measured in impact in dollars and enjoy so how do you do it
dollars and enjoy so how do you do it
dollars and enjoy so how do you do it well it is not a straight line path when
well it is not a straight line path when
well it is not a straight line path when I was young I wanted to be a teacher in
I was young I wanted to be a teacher in
I was young I wanted to be a teacher in high school and college I pursued
high school and college I pursued
high school and college I pursued theater
theater
theater my early 20s I discovered my passion for
my early 20s I discovered my passion for
my early 20s I discovered my passion for cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an
cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an
cooking and as I turned 30 I finished an MBA and went off to a corporate
MBA and went off to a corporate
MBA and went off to a corporate marketing job I was 37 years old before
marketing job I was 37 years old before
marketing job I was 37 years old before I gave my first cooking demonstration
I gave my first cooking demonstration
I gave my first cooking demonstration looking back it all makes perfect sense
looking back it all makes perfect sense
looking back it all makes perfect sense but looking forward I never could have
but looking forward I never could have
but looking forward I never could have predicted this path and I don’t know
predicted this path and I don’t know
predicted this path and I don’t know where it’s taking me from here so I
where it’s taking me from here so I
where it’s taking me from here so I can’t give you a roadmap to happiness
can’t give you a roadmap to happiness
can’t give you a roadmap to happiness and success but I can help set your
and success but I can help set your
and success but I can help set your compass first trust the future I spent
compass first trust the future I spent
compass first trust the future I spent so much time worried about money and
so much time worried about money and
so much time worried about money and success I gave everyone else the advice
success I gave everyone else the advice
success I gave everyone else the advice to follow their passions use their gifts
to follow their passions use their gifts
to follow their passions use their gifts be amazing do what you love and don’t
be amazing do what you love and don’t
be amazing do what you love and don’t worry about the rest it was terrifying
worry about the rest it was terrifying
worry about the rest it was terrifying when I took that advice for myself but I
when I took that advice for myself but I
when I took that advice for myself but I believed in it now more than ever you
believed in it now more than ever you
believed in it now more than ever you may not make the most money and you may
may not make the most money and you may
may not make the most money and you may not enjoy the most widely recognized
not enjoy the most widely recognized
not enjoy the most widely recognized success but in doing this you will find
success but in doing this you will find
success but in doing this you will find joy and in that joy you will find all
joy and in that joy you will find all
joy and in that joy you will find all the money and success that you need and
the money and success that you need and
the money and success that you need and if you need a lot you can find a lot
if you need a lot you can find a lot
if you need a lot you can find a lot someone here is sitting and thinking but
someone here is sitting and thinking but
someone here is sitting and thinking but what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth
what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth
what if I don’t have a passion Elizabeth Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray
Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray
Gilbert who is the author of Eat Pray Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin
Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin
Love was interviewed on NPR by Robin young in 2015 about her new book big
young in 2015 about her new book big
young in 2015 about her new book big magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you
magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you
magic and Robin asked Elizabeth do you have any advice for people on following
have any advice for people on following
have any advice for people on following your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t
your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t
your passion and Elizabeth said I don’t I think if you have a passion by
I think if you have a passion by
I think if you have a passion by definition you’re already following it
definition you’re already following it
definition you’re already following it they passions don’t give us much choice
they passions don’t give us much choice
they passions don’t give us much choice all right Robin said well what if you
all right Robin said well what if you
all right Robin said well what if you don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said
don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said
don’t have a passion then Elizabeth said follow your curiosity find something
follow your curiosity find something
follow your curiosity find something that interests you and research it
that interests you and research it
that interests you and research it pursue it build a life and a career
pursue it build a life and a career
pursue it build a life and a career around it there are far worse ways to
around it there are far worse ways to
around it there are far worse ways to live than following your curiosity okay
live than following your curiosity okay
live than following your curiosity okay but before you give up on having a
but before you give up on having a
but before you give up on having a passion I have one more thought what is
passion I have one more thought what is
passion I have one more thought what is the last thing you did that was
the last thing you did that was
the last thing you did that was exceptional that made you feel so good
exceptional that made you feel so good
exceptional that made you feel so good so proud to have accomplished that
so proud to have accomplished that
so proud to have accomplished that brought you joy is that what you’re
brought you joy is that what you’re
brought you joy is that what you’re doing right now I think there are people
doing right now I think there are people
doing right now I think there are people who have a passion to use their gifts to
who have a passion to use their gifts to
who have a passion to use their gifts to be amazing doctors and artists to build
be amazing doctors and artists to build
be amazing doctors and artists to build schools in third-world countries or to
schools in third-world countries or to
schools in third-world countries or to bring people joy and better health as
bring people joy and better health as
bring people joy and better health as personal trainers and I think there are
personal trainers and I think there are
personal trainers and I think there are people for whom their passion is not
people for whom their passion is not
people for whom their passion is not about their job at all I had a classmate
about their job at all I had a classmate
about their job at all I had a classmate in grad school
in grad school
in grad school Kelly Dawson Kelly could read
Kelly Dawson Kelly could read
Kelly Dawson Kelly could read spreadsheets like they were novels while
spreadsheets like they were novels while
spreadsheets like they were novels while the rest of us were scrambling around
the rest of us were scrambling around
the rest of us were scrambling around analyzing data
analyzing data
analyzing data Kelly was reading between the lines to
Kelly was reading between the lines to
Kelly was reading between the lines to see decisions that had been made and
see decisions that had been made and
see decisions that had been made and strategies that had been set today Kelly
strategies that had been set today Kelly
strategies that had been set today Kelly is using her gifts as an amazing CPA
is using her gifts as an amazing CPA
is using her gifts as an amazing CPA supporting a nonprofit that seeks to
supporting a nonprofit that seeks to
supporting a nonprofit that seeks to build stronger families in at-risk
build stronger families in at-risk
build stronger families in at-risk communities there is my accountant Steve
communities there is my accountant Steve
communities there is my accountant Steve little wood who has a passion for seeing
little wood who has a passion for seeing
little wood who has a passion for seeing small businesses grow and succeed Steve
small businesses grow and succeed Steve
small businesses grow and succeed Steve is good at giving advice on things like
is good at giving advice on things like
is good at giving advice on things like tax strategy and and spending but when
tax strategy and and spending but when
tax strategy and and spending but when there’s a problem he comes alive I even
there’s a problem he comes alive I even
there’s a problem he comes alive I even an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes
an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes
an audit cash flow crisis unpaid taxes and he will see the businesses through
and he will see the businesses through
and he will see the businesses through to brighter futures I don’t know if
to brighter futures I don’t know if
to brighter futures I don’t know if either Steve or Kelly would claim a
either Steve or Kelly would claim a
either Steve or Kelly would claim a passion for accounting but they are both
passion for accounting but they are both
passion for accounting but they are both clearly living their passions
clearly living their passions
clearly living their passions nonetheless so what is the last thing
nonetheless so what is the last thing
nonetheless so what is the last thing you did that was exceptional take the
you did that was exceptional take the
you did that was exceptional take the time and the risks to follow that thread
time and the risks to follow that thread
time and the risks to follow that thread that curiosity talked to people try
that curiosity talked to people try
that curiosity talked to people try things until you are spending more and
things until you are spending more and
things until you are spending more and more time being amazing creating value
more time being amazing creating value
more time being amazing creating value and creating joy in your life and for
and creating joy in your life and for
and creating joy in your life and for the people you share it with so that’s
the people you share it with so that’s
the people you share it with so that’s it
it
it follow your passion find joy be amazing
follow your passion find joy be amazing
follow your passion find joy be amazing and there is one more thing every day on
and there is one more thing every day on
and there is one more thing every day on this path I face fear and the greatest
this path I face fear and the greatest
this path I face fear and the greatest of those fears is the fear of failure
of those fears is the fear of failure
of those fears is the fear of failure the fear that I’m going to follow my
the fear that I’m going to follow my
the fear that I’m going to follow my dreams and passions that I am going to
dreams and passions that I am going to
dreams and passions that I am going to fully employ my greatest gifts and I
fully employ my greatest gifts and I
fully employ my greatest gifts and I will still fall short my first book took
will still fall short my first book took
will still fall short my first book took two years to achieve the sales that I
two years to achieve the sales that I
two years to achieve the sales that I expected to see in two months there was
expected to see in two months there was
expected to see in two months there was that cooking demonstration I did at USDA
that cooking demonstration I did at USDA
that cooking demonstration I did at USDA where I forgot to bring a knife which is
where I forgot to bring a knife which is
where I forgot to bring a knife which is the one tool that you need to have if
the one tool that you need to have if
the one tool that you need to have if you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking demonstration
demonstration
demonstration there’s the demonstration where I forgot
there’s the demonstration where I forgot
there’s the demonstration where I forgot to bring a cutting board that would be
to bring a cutting board that would be
to bring a cutting board that would be the other tool that you need to have if
the other tool that you need to have if
the other tool that you need to have if you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking
you’re going to give a cooking demonstration but enough about the small
demonstration but enough about the small
demonstration but enough about the small stuff I want to talk about just how
stuff I want to talk about just how
stuff I want to talk about just how badly you can fail and still come back
badly you can fail and still come back
badly you can fail and still come back when I was 20 or 21 years old I took
when I was 20 or 21 years old I took
when I was 20 or 21 years old I took over cooking Christmas dinner from my
over cooking Christmas dinner from my
over cooking Christmas dinner from my mom I’m one of three she is one of seven
mom I’m one of three she is one of seven
mom I’m one of three she is one of seven so usually there’d be about 10 of us
so usually there’d be about 10 of us
so usually there’d be about 10 of us around the table on Christmas Day my
around the table on Christmas Day my
around the table on Christmas Day my immediate family a few older relatives
immediate family a few older relatives
immediate family a few older relatives two days later my mom’s six brothers and
two days later my mom’s six brothers and
two days later my mom’s six brothers and sisters all married all with children
sisters all married all with children
sisters all married all with children would descend upon the house 40 people
would descend upon the house 40 people
would descend upon the house 40 people in all and she would cook a second
in all and she would cook a second
in all and she would cook a second Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20
Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20
Christmas dinner and by the time I’m 20 or 21 she’s not having fun with this
or 21 she’s not having fun with this
or 21 she’s not having fun with this anymore so I said at least let me take
anymore so I said at least let me take
anymore so I said at least let me take over Christmas Day she says yes and the
over Christmas Day she says yes and the
over Christmas Day she says yes and the third year I’m doing this I decide that
third year I’m doing this I decide that
third year I’m doing this I decide that I’m going to make beef wellington and
I’m going to make beef wellington and
I’m going to make beef wellington and Baked Alaska I had never made either of
Baked Alaska I had never made either of
Baked Alaska I had never made either of those before in my life and so I started
those before in my life and so I started
those before in my life and so I started looking for recipes online this was a
looking for recipes online this was a
looking for recipes online this was a little early in the internet so I
little early in the internet so I
little early in the internet so I couldn’t find them there I go to my
couldn’t find them there I go to my
couldn’t find them there I go to my collection of cookbooks that start
collection of cookbooks that start
collection of cookbooks that start flipping through the 1970s ruined beef
flipping through the 1970s ruined beef
flipping through the 1970s ruined beef wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone
wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone
wellington and Baked Alaska for everyone so I couldn’t find them there either my
so I couldn’t find them there either my
so I couldn’t find them there either my mom finally finds him in in an old Julia
mom finally finds him in in an old Julia
mom finally finds him in in an old Julia Child TV series cookbook buys the
Child TV series cookbook buys the
Child TV series cookbook buys the ingredients for me and I opened up the
ingredients for me and I opened up the
ingredients for me and I opened up the cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the
cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the
cookbook at 11:30 on Christmas Eve the first set of instructions is how to make
first set of instructions is how to make
first set of instructions is how to make the 24 hour marinade for the beef
the 24 hour marinade for the beef
the 24 hour marinade for the beef I had a lot less experience and a lot
I had a lot less experience and a lot
I had a lot less experience and a lot more confidence back then so I thought
more confidence back then so I thought
more confidence back then so I thought I’m good I kept reading the next set of
I’m good I kept reading the next set of
I’m good I kept reading the next set of instructions was how to make the pastry
instructions was how to make the pastry
instructions was how to make the pastry from scratch to wrap around the beef I
from scratch to wrap around the beef I
from scratch to wrap around the beef I still thought I was good in fact I was
still thought I was good in fact I was
still thought I was good in fact I was so confident I went right ahead and made
so confident I went right ahead and made
so confident I went right ahead and made the ice cream and the sponge cake from
the ice cream and the sponge cake from
the ice cream and the sponge cake from scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see
scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see
scratch for the Baked Alaska you may see where this is headed
where this is headed
where this is headed at 11:30 the next night my irate family
at 11:30 the next night my irate family
at 11:30 the next night my irate family finally sits down to Christmas dinner
finally sits down to Christmas dinner
finally sits down to Christmas dinner and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked
and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked
and in 12:30 I bring out the Baked Alaska and usually when you serve a
Alaska and usually when you serve a
Alaska and usually when you serve a Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over
Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over
Baked Alaska you flame some alcohol over the top and I had never flamed alcohol
the top and I had never flamed alcohol
the top and I had never flamed alcohol before in my life I didn’t know it helps
before in my life I didn’t know it helps
before in my life I didn’t know it helps if you warm it up a little bit first so
if you warm it up a little bit first so
if you warm it up a little bit first so I end up pouring an entire bottle of
I end up pouring an entire bottle of
I end up pouring an entire bottle of cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska
cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska
cherry brandy over this Baked Alaska none of it burning off by the end of
none of it burning off by the end of
none of it burning off by the end of dinner my entire family is now asleep
dinner my entire family is now asleep
dinner my entire family is now asleep except for my 11 year old brother who is
except for my 11 year old brother who is
except for my 11 year old brother who is completely trashed at which point I
completely trashed at which point I
completely trashed at which point I announce that I’m gonna make this same
announce that I’m gonna make this same
announce that I’m gonna make this same meal one year later and get it right and
meal one year later and get it right and
meal one year later and get it right and for some reason they say yes so
for some reason they say yes so
for some reason they say yes so fast-forward 12 months December 25th one
fast-forward 12 months December 25th one
fast-forward 12 months December 25th one year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef
year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef
year later 8:30 at night beautiful beef wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I
wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I
wellington hits the table and at 9:30 I pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and
pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and
pull the Baked Alaska from the oven and this thing is enormous
this thing is enormous
this thing is enormous the platter it’s on is so big my mom
the platter it’s on is so big my mom
the platter it’s on is so big my mom only has one trade that it will fit on
only has one trade that it will fit on
only has one trade that it will fit on it’s about a half an inch bigger all the
it’s about a half an inch bigger all the
it’s about a half an inch bigger all the way around so I set the platter on the
way around so I set the platter on the
way around so I set the platter on the tray I walk into the dining room and I
tray I walk into the dining room and I
tray I walk into the dining room and I set the tray on the hot pads in the
set the tray on the hot pads in the
set the tray on the hot pads in the middle of the dining room table I’ve
middle of the dining room table I’ve
middle of the dining room table I’ve learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so
learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so
learned my lesson on flaming alcohol so there’s a small pan of warm cherry
there’s a small pan of warm cherry
there’s a small pan of warm cherry brandy over on the side boards I drop in
brandy over on the side boards I drop in
brandy over on the side boards I drop in a match blue flames perfect i dim the
a match blue flames perfect i dim the
a match blue flames perfect i dim the lights pour some over the top there
lights pour some over the top there
lights pour some over the top there smiling faces all around it is magic and
smiling faces all around it is magic and
smiling faces all around it is magic and there’s more alcohol burning in the pan
there’s more alcohol burning in the pan
there’s more alcohol burning in the pan and I pour some over the top and Norman
and I pour some over the top and Norman
and I pour some over the top and Norman Rockwell’s should have been in my
Rockwell’s should have been in my
Rockwell’s should have been in my family’s dining room capturing this
family’s dining room capturing this
family’s dining room capturing this moment and there’s more alcohol in the
moment and there’s more alcohol in the
moment and there’s more alcohol in the pan so I poured over the top and that’s
pan so I poured over the top and that’s
pan so I poured over the top and that’s the moment when well it leaps right over
the moment when well it leaps right over
the moment when well it leaps right over the edge of the train to the friends on
the edge of the train to the friends on
the edge of the train to the friends on the hop hadn’t sets the dining room
the hop hadn’t sets the dining room
the hop hadn’t sets the dining room table on fire
table on fire
table on fire and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt
and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt
and unfortunately wearing an oven mitt so I am stopping out the flames and I
so I am stopping out the flames and I
so I am stopping out the flames and I finally get the table extinguished and
finally get the table extinguished and
finally get the table extinguished and decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in
decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in
decide maybe the alcohol shouldn’t be in the dining room anymore
the dining room anymore
the dining room anymore let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up
let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up
let’s head to the kitchen so I picked up the pan and I start walking forward if
the pan and I start walking forward if
the pan and I start walking forward if you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of
you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of
you’ve ever walked forward to the pan of flaming alcohol before you may know the
flaming alcohol before you may know the
flaming alcohol before you may know the flames jet backwards I used to have a
flames jet backwards I used to have a
flames jet backwards I used to have a lot more hair than this so I am I am now
lot more hair than this so I am I am now
lot more hair than this so I am I am now walking sideways and inside skip the
walking sideways and inside skip the
walking sideways and inside skip the kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door
kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door
kitchen we’re gonna hit the sliding door to the brick patio I get to the door is
to the brick patio I get to the door is
to the brick patio I get to the door is December 25th in New England there’s a
December 25th in New England there’s a
December 25th in New England there’s a brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way
brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way
brisk breeze blowing and there’s no way this pan is getting out the door at the
this pan is getting out the door at the
this pan is getting out the door at the same time as me so I finally throw it
same time as me so I finally throw it
same time as me so I finally throw it out onto the bricks where it burns
out onto the bricks where it burns
out onto the bricks where it burns itself out and they still let me cook
itself out and they still let me cook
itself out and they still let me cook Christmas dinner every year no matter
Christmas dinner every year no matter
Christmas dinner every year no matter how badly you mess up you can always
how badly you mess up you can always
how badly you mess up you can always come back so get out there make mistakes
come back so get out there make mistakes
come back so get out there make mistakes trust the future to hold everything that
trust the future to hold everything that
trust the future to hold everything that you need and desire as you follow your
you need and desire as you follow your
you need and desire as you follow your passion and you use your gift and be
passion and you use your gift and be
passion and you use your gift and be amazing we need you
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