8 Comments
Aug 3, 2022Liked by Andrew Zimmern

Years ago ( as I was about to stand in front of a couple of thousand people and share my llil cancer story) someone shared a lil thought with me…when you are comfortable using your own story in a way that others may learn or benefit from it…that is when your healing begins.

This Andrew, is why I find you so relatable, your transparency & willingness to share your story for the benefit of others as well as your own healing. I hope you realize how many lives you influence,. And many, like mine….stem from very different traumas. I love! That you are acknowledging progress!!

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Aug 3, 2022Liked by Andrew Zimmern

That's some heavy sh*t, Andrew! I've never seen The Bear, but I did watch Bad Vegan on Netflix. WTF But more importantly than these shows, thanks for sharing your life experiences. You have obviously put in the hard work necessary to be the person you are striving to become. I'd say so far so good!

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Aug 2, 2022Liked by Andrew Zimmern

My wife, a CEC, turned to me after I made her watch Ep1 and said "I hate you". Then insisted I put on the next one. She's nearly through the series (it's the busy season for her kitchen so she's very little time for anything but sleep).

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They hit the substance abuse very lightly. And the casual (or worse) sexual harassment was MIA. Those are two components that make life hell for women in many kitchens. I always wonder about the recovery stories (good!) and seldom see pieces about the women who’s careers were derailed during the peak of toxicity (see mr orange clogs, e.g.) That said, I like the first season and look forward to the second!

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Really well written, and a very astute synopsis! This was what really rang true for me..” For me, it was a great place to be successful back in the 80’s. To pursue my dream, yes, but also a perfect place to hide, to act out, to stay un-well”. I loved the two decades I spent in the Michelin focused f&b world…but it took a lot longer for me to get the help I needed because I could hide from my issues when I was focusing on helping others to step away from their daily battles by us providing a serene dining environment. Thanks Chef for bringing this up. Love, MB

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Thank you for this article! I binge watched The Bear and I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one that can relate to this common culture found in the food service industry. My family (and its dysfunctions) have also gravitated to restaurants. I fled to laboratory medicine as a means of escape: but the laboratory is SO similar to food service! We are hidden in the back, no one knows what we do, few people have our skills, we deal with narcissistic doctors, long hours, low pay and health risks. Just as food can feed a person's soul, we give of ourselves to provide patients with the critical lab results that can ease their soul.

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Great article and insight, finally someone got it right. Bravo.

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Life is messy. Love the characters and the emotional jolts they give and take and somehow survive..it's a ride!

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