Monday Motivation: Passionately Pursue Mastery Inspired By Joël Robuchon

Monday Motivation: Passionately Pursue Mastery Inspired By Joël Robuchon

STOUT Inspiration + Action To Accelerate Your Week

Get inspired by world renowned chef Joël Robuchon and then use our Stout Action Plan to pursue whatever you would like to master.

INSPIRATION
↳ Joël Robuchon

Joël Robuchon was a French chef and restaurateur named “Chef of the Century” by the guide Gault Millau in 1989, awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France’s best worker) in cuisine in 1976. He operated more than a dozen restaurants across the world with the record high of a total of 32 Michelin Guide stars among them, the most of any chef in the world.

Born to a family of bricklayers in France during WW II, Joël Robuchon originally wanted to be a priest, but realized his true calling at age 12 while while working in the kitchen at the seminary he had joined. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming an apprentice pastry chef at 15, winning first prize in a national cooking competition at 16 and then head chef at Harmony-Lafayette restaurant in Paris by 28.

Along the way he perfected his signature dish – mashed potato made with just four ingredients: potatoes, butter, salt and milk- and when he opened his first restaurant, Jamin, he quickly achieved the never before done feat of gaining three Michelin stars in three years.

After retiring at age 50, Robuchon filmed several successful TV shows introducing viewers to simple recipes, tips and tricks and sharing his culinary knowledge. Then, believing that Michelin were out of touch, he returned to open L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon a relaxed, no reservations, no dress code fine dining experience in the heart of Paris.

Robuchon’s fellow chefs maintained that he had a magical touch that made everything taste better and that though he wasn’t the first celebrity chef, nor the most well-known, he was simply the greatest.

When I decided to concentrate on being a chef, I was determined to be the best.”
– Joël Robuchon

 

 

ACTION
↳ 3-Step Plan To Passionately Pursue Mastery

Develop Laser Focus
The secret sauce (or in this case mashed potato) to Robuchon’s achieving GOAT status in his industry was his original desire to serve. His view that cooking was a means to share his appreciation of food with others through the ceremony of a beautiful meal led him to strive to perfect his craft. Rise above the noise and pinpoint exactly WHAT you want to master and WHY you want to do it.

Stay Grounded
Though Robuchon earned a record high stars from Michelin Guide and could command high prices and the tightest of entry codes at his restaurants, he left retirement to open the acclaimed L’Atelier, rooting his elegantly relaxed fine dining concept in his original desire to serve up an enjoyable customer experience. Lasting success comes from remembering where we started and growing on that foundation, rather than chasing every next best thing.

Influence & Uplift
Though Robuchon famously threw a plate (the only time he ever did) to curb Gordon Ramsay’s attitude, Ramsay and a host of others who worked with Robuchon praised his mentoring influence and how he “kept everyone on our toes-even when we were sleeping!” Find a mentor who does that for you- then reach out to do the same for others as you rise.

 
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