Spirit of a Chef in the Beehive

Perhaps this is just in time for the holidays. A little something to feed our hearts and fill the air with a waft of fresh baked hospitality and camaraderie. As the festivities are approaching we join with loved ones, family and friends to celebrate what I believe is more of an appreciation for each other and a chance to reconnect with the spirit of giving on a physical and spiritual level. We are out 'til all hours of the night, braving the weather and "battlefields" in the department stores to get the perfect gift for all the people we love.

We gather, we exchange gifts, the "shock and awe" wears off in about 5 minutes... And then we ready ourselves for the one ritual which strikes a more primal and visceral chord within us than any other festival or tradition... A ritual that we must partake of on a daily basis, even after the glow of Christmas has passed... a tradition that our very existence depends on. It's time to feast!!!

The word "feast" and "festival" are interchangeable and literally means a religious gathering that usually includes the partaking of food. That's right, we've all had religious experiences in our lives, and I would have to say that the most common ones are directly related to food... A perfectly prepared rack of smoked ribs with a mouth smacking bbq sauce, fresh baked bread with European butter and fresh honeycomb, the silky velvet texture of mac and cheese or the gooey cheese hanging to the floor from your piping hot slice of pizza heaven.

Watch a person partake of their daily bread and I promise you will see their eyes close, their mouth take a moment to stop and savor the intricacies of sensory titillation as the corners of their mouth begin to rise to the heavens... a pensive disciple.

The one true "festival" that we all have in common, the one that breaks all boundaries, culture, religion and geography... truly the "One Love"..... is our need to eat and sustain our existence on this rock. A "festival" that all of God's children must agree upon, celebrate, worship: Coexist if you will.

We celebrate throughout the year to commemorate historical events and honor those who pioneered the way for us. These holidays come and pass, but the one true festival is life, which is an every day celebration. Morning, noon and night, and for most of us a little something in between if ya know what i mean... And that equals a whole lot of time and dedication, time that most of us don't always have. That's where the Chef steps in.

Some of us can cook, most of us cannot and even for those of us that have the "green thumb" sometimes it nice to just sit down and enjoy the meal without all of the thought and preparation that goes into the meal. For those of us who are cooks, foodies, or otherwise appreciate a perfect orchestra of nibbling nirvana, a Chef has the ability to elevate our experience to new heights. The Chef lives and breathes aroma, flavor, texture, subtle nuances and combinations that bring our visual palate into full HD.

If you were to deconstruct any Chef or cook that has even an inkling of passion, you would see the intricate layers and structure that make them who they are. At the core of this structure, is the Spirit of a Chef. This "Spirit" is the essence of giving, sharing, loving and hospitality.

As a child, when all the other kids where on the playground, the chef was with his mother in the kitchen watching in bewilderment how she took a pile of flower and mixed it into a loaf of bread. You were playing with a new toy or engaging in sports or other activities... the chef was pretending to cook in a make believe cafe serving his siblings and friends. The chef was making his first meal with the help of an adult to serve to family or friends.

The soul, the essence, the spirit of a chef is to feed people, to serve, to host, to nurture people's well being physically, spiritually and emotionally. To know when that plate goes out to the guest in the dining room, that the hours spent in collaborating, conceptualizing, testing and fine tuning, the combinations will enrich all the senses for that guest who has taken the time and money to have a memorable experience.

This spirit goes beyond the dining room and into the kitchen to those that work with the chef. A sense of camaraderie, understanding and a willingness to share all that they have learned with those who are just beginning in the industry... And this goes beyond the Chef's own kitchen and is extended to all of his peers and competitors. You could call it a sense of "sportsmanship" in the restaurant industry, and I believe that this is vital to all of us who share this "beehive" in Salt Lake City and in all of Utah for that matter. At the core of this hive is the Queen, which I believe ultimately is the Spirit of a Chef, and not necessarily one entity or institution. So in the "Spirit" of the "Festivities" it is vital that all Chefs, restaurateurs, foodies and diners all come together into a symbiotic relationship that will enrich our experience, stimulate our economy, expand our knowledge and understanding and put Salt Lake City on the food mecca map!!

In the true Spirit of a Chef I say, Bon Appetit!!!

Mark M. Benson
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