My son recently went back to his secondary school to get his testimonial. Several of his teachers were impressed that he is now a chef.
Except for one female teacher who teaches English language, "What's so great? Only a chef."
Yes, he's only a chef. Being a chef is stigmatized. Most adults look down on a job that is physically hard and considered of little value.
Chef in Action : Cooking for the Young Adults Group in his church
Most people look up to a university graduate, berating the skilled manual labourer. The result is that the number of skilled craftsmen are dwindling, leaving huge holes in communities that took their goods and services for granted.
Learning from Singapore's Top Chef Eric Teo
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.” -- C.S. Lewis
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photohuntFirst Commenter -
"leaving huge holes in communities that took their goods and services for granted."
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you
In the end, things as important and as culturally incorporated to the society has to be "out-sourced" to foreign labour!
Wow congratulations to you son ECL! I haven't been here for awhile...it's so good to hear about this.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot avoid this type of negative people...just ignore them.
Every job that contribute to society is honourable. Why should we look down of people who chose to lead a different path or career from us?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your son! I think that creating good food for people is a wonderful career! And I'm not impressed with that teacher.
ReplyDeleteYeah only a chef and Gordon Ramsay is also only a chef. How narrow minded the teacher is and she doesn't fit to be a teacher! Your son follows his heart and mind, that's how a person can have a bright future. He will do well. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteyenjai,
ReplyDeleteYou are also facing such problems in Malaysia too?
Our well-known traditional food stalls are run by foreign workers and the taste of their food is totally changed. :(
We are losing our culture and heritage.
Jade!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you! It's been some time since I last heard from you. I'm so happy that you are back.
Chat with you on FB. :)
Lina,
ReplyDeleteThere are things that I don't understand these days, especially when a teacher's mindset is so different from the majority.
Gran
ReplyDeleteThanks. My son is very passionate about his chosen career. He is not so easily discouraged by such negative people. With such a mindset, she cannot go far, she will only be a teacher.
Hi Doreen!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you!
Yah, I was thinking, how Gordon Ramsay would response when this teacher tells him in his face, "You are only a chef." :P
Probably I should relate this story to our Singapore top chef, Eric Teo. :)
i guess the English teacher didn't really know much about the world. she/he is cocooned in her/his own little world. people and companies pay top dollar for skills, not for a university diploma.
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with chef? That teacher needs to be fried.
ReplyDeletewhat a great quote and reminder!
ReplyDeletewe all have roles to play, different roles, not one better or more important than others'.
shame on that teacher who cannot rejoice on the success of his/her students in their field of choice =[
best of luck to your son! may he fill many lives with happy memories of healthy meals =]
It's an art to be a wonderful chef that makes food with love. I'm happy for your son for the great effort he has put in to create food that's delicious and pleasantly memorable.
ReplyDeleteWhat is most important is , he's successful in his way, and not doing something illegal or against the law...
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with being a chef. it's a profession that one should be proud of.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby's grandpa was a Chef and at one time cooked a meal for the Queen of England. Being a Chef is a highly skilled profession, and to be respected, congratulations to your son!! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope he was not hurt when he heard that. I've always wanted to be a chef and I have high respects to chefs. It's not easy to cook, all the more plate it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI hate those kind of people who can't accept a success of a friend or other person. They are insecure and they will pull you down as long as they can. Based on my experience, it's really hard to make friends with those kind of people. You will not succeed if you're going to be affected.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your son for being a chef! He should do what he loves! In the U.S., some chefs are celebrities, have their own tv shows and cookbooks.
ReplyDelete