Passion? whats that have to do with great food!

Ok this might be a dumb question, I mean if you are a professional Chef or a weekend warrior it is that same passion that keeps you cooking right? why is it that your grand mother's soup tasted so good------------------because she loved to cook!!! it was not a chore or something she HAD to do.

So what the hell am I talking about and what does this have to do with my business? EVERYTHING "when I cap my letters THAT MEANS I AM YELLING AT YOU" :)

Seriously you need to pay attention to this, it is important, your business depends on it.

I do not have to tell you that we are in a recession, and while the fast casual segment is being impacted along with all other restaurants, Pizza is still a good seller, my personal restaurants are down about 10% and while that hurts the bottom line, I have friends in fine dinning that are getting killed!!!

I completely believe that if you are passionate about your business and LOVE to cook, you will make it through these lean times, marketing food cost and labor cost are a huge factor, but if you do not love what you do you will never survive!

The gifter of my passion is my father, I remember the BBQ's that he threw when we were young, every one would come to eat "Skis" ribs, or thanksgiving dinner on the rugged north coast of Mendocino County!

Whether pops was cooking for a few or many his passion was the same, it had to be great! and he made it look effortless.

I lost my dad to cancer this fall, I have never felt such a deep and all encompassing sadness, and at the same time so grateful for all the happy memories that will keep pops alive in my heart forever.

thanks for being such a great dad, and teaching me to be a great dad, I really miss you pops and the kids tell you they love you every night.

This is the passion that my father gave me, I will never lose it, I hope you never lose yours.