Paul’s “Full-Circle” Moment

One test of luck in life is our first boss. A bad one can fill you with insecurities and limitations. But a good one will give you knowledge and confidence and when it’s time to leave, let you go with grace. This happened to my son, Paul.

Paul’s first boss was Chef Walter, who manages the kitchen of a private school nearby in Connecticut. Walter’s in his fifties, burly, and African American.

When Paul first came to work for Chef Walter five years ago, he knew nothing about commercial kitchens. He only knew he wanted to cook. He’d earned a culinary certificate from a local college, but as with many who come to this field, Paul started at the bottom as a dishwasher. The work was grueling, starting at 7:00 a.m. each morning, but Paul made up his mind to be the best dishwasher he could.

Chef soon noticed his dedication and grew fond of him, calling Paul “Stone Love,” (a play on his last name) after the song “Stoned Love” by the Supremes. Over the years, Chef Walter promoted Paul from dishwasher to food prep and sometimes cooking. Chef was trained at the Culinary Institute of America. He could be exacting, but also quick to praise.

Over the years he taught Paul how to keep a kitchen immaculate, purchase food, use the griddle, stock the walk-in fridge, improve his knife skills, and serve 300 lunches a day.

Although Chef was Paul’s boss, he also became a friend and he and Walter shared many a laugh together. Because of Walter, the kitchen was a happy place with music playing from the radio and staff kidding and supporting each other.

Each Christmas, Paul gave Chef a bunch of cigars personally selected by his father. Chef’s face always lit up at the sight. “You’re blessing me!” he’d say with a big smile.

Five years passed and Paul kept practicing his craft – not only at work, but home too.  (Yes. Yum.).

A few months ago, Paul was offered a job as line cook at a local restaurant, the next step in his career journey. And although he struggled with saying goodbye to Walter, he knew it was time. As expected, Chef let him go with best wishes and a big goodbye party.

The other day, Paul made the pilgrimage back to the school to give Chef his annual cigars. Chef’s face glowed at the unexpected sight of Paul walking into his kitchen and surprising the whole crew. During his visit, Paul met the newest dishwasher, working hard, doing the job he’d started with five years ago.

And at that moment, Paul got a sense of time passing, how life brings us full circle sometimes. We’re shown how far we’ve come, sometimes without even realizing.

Paul vows to come back each Christmas and give his good friend those cigars he loves. I’m proud of my son and thankful Walter was his first boss, a wonderful stroke of good luck.

 

Did you have a Walter in your life? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like, please share.

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