Face Time

I’m paraphrasing one of my favorite women here…


…If I take the time every day to recognize just one gift, it will make everything so much better. There is at least one gift in every day… I really think there are lots of them…so when I see it I say, “There it is. This is a gift!” Embrace it. Go with it.
Tina K.


A few months ago, I readied myself for an incredibly busy work day. It included shopping in several locations, meeting with a client for a site review, and then back to headquarters to begin prepping for several large events. And I had just gotten back from vacation. And it was pouring. And the cooler lid just fell on the bridge of my nose. Ugh.

As I drove from place to place, I found myself internally bemoaning the fact that I had so much to do that I didn’t have time to meet with this client and review this site. A site is just a site, right? The food was planned. How important was face time with this client?

It was more important than I can ever express. As soon as I saw her smile, my day changed. She was excited about unveiling this new space to the public and had invited me to feed them. She shared with me her plans for the event and her vision for the ceremony. We sounded out thoughts and questions and potential trouble spots in hopes of avoiding them. We blocked out food stations and the flow of our guests (or crowd control as she likes to call it). Her energy was contagious and I remembered what my purpose/place was.

I live in an honored and prestigious place. I am invited to some of the most special, intimate moments of peoples’ lives. The unveiling of their spaces, the introduction of their newborn children, the memorials of their beloved family members and to the weddings that they’ve been dreaming of forever. And it’s my job to nourish them and their guests. Providing delicious food is just one tiny aspect of truly nourishing someone you love.

The food is the easy part. It’s the Face Time that makes my life as a chef so incredibly rich…and gifted.