The first bite.

It's Dine LA week, which means restaurants all over LA host pre-fixe dinners at affordable prices. Tonight was a 3 course dinner at two michelin star Spago, in Beverly Hills.

It is of course, not as great as it might normally be, (it is affordable remember?) the dining room is gigantic, the decore...odd, and the music a bit too noticeable. But...
It was a great meal anyway. And I am reminded every time I have the pleasure of dining at these sorts of places, not only why they are most certainly worth the $$$$, but also, what I love about this industry-why I'm here, why you're here.

Let me explain.
For me, it goes like this.
An upcoming restaurant reservation somewhere I've been meaning to try.  I get the rare opportunity to dress up (even if it is LA where casual is the general dress code).  I get to the restaurant, and from the moment I step inside, everything changes. Dining for me is not just the food, it is almost a form of therapy. Sitting there, drinking, eating, conversing with dining companions (or maybe with my book at a restaurant bar) everything is else is far away. The stresses I've felt that week, everything that worried me, made me upset or doubt is gone. It is the simplest activity, full filling the most basic human need, and yet one of the most gratifying experiences I can think of. As the server delivers our agnolotti we pause conversation to focus. That first bite is pure bliss to me, its why I dine, I've been looking forward to it all day. The way the pasta feels as you bite down, the way the impossibly smoothy interior coats your mouth, sense heightened, and all you can think to say is "oh, god, thats good."  I savor that first bite, because you can't get it back, the second bite is never quite as good as the last. Saved in my memory are vivid recollections of these first bites.  Conversation turns to reminiscing; this reminds me of that pasta at Redd in Napa, oh, do you remember that? That was incredible. And I'm in no way exaggerating when I say that moment is one of such significant happiness, of calm, pure and unadulterated joy. It is rare. And just think what went into that bite. The chef that conceived the dish, labored over its perfection, just for you, to have that moment.
It is what I love about this industry. Despite its awful hours, horrible pay, and more than occasional unpleasant person or questionable job security. It is full of passionate people who strive to deliver you an experience, a memory. To make you happy. It's so simple. Its what I aim to do. I love to bake, I love the science behind it. But thats not why I bake. I bake for you. I agonize over details, aim for perfection, and put everything I can into that croissant I've just made you because your reaction is what I'm really going through all this effort for. To be able to give happiness to someone, to make them feel joy, or loved, or special is absolutely priceless.
And thank you, to everyone who has supported me through this change, it has been unbelievably rewarding. Each of you constantly serves as motivation and inspiration. All I really want, is for every person who tries something I've made to have a perfect first bite.
I certainly hope you do.