Chefs by Redemptive Gifts

The list is inverted from the usual order:

 

Mercy:  Ina Garten and Demaris  Phillips, Cake Boss

Why?  If you think about these three chefs, they create beauty, and to enter their domain, is to enter a place of comfort and beauty.  There is something one "feels" about each of them that they are warm, welcoming, and the enviorment they create is the same.  Ina Garten always serves her meals in a beautiful setting with flowers she has picked from her garden.  Even the title, Barefoot Contessa, has a mercy tone to it.  

Demaris keeps her spices in beautiful blue mason jars and everything about her kitchen feels like comfort and peace.  She exudes charm and comfort and she cooks comfort food.

 

 The "Cake Boss" uses his gift to celebrate people and life, and he takes a great deal of time to perfect the details on his cakes.  His staff, assembled because of their like minded spirits, seem to have fun with their creations.  It is not about money or fame, but very down to earth goals of making customers happy with their creations.  Their enviornment is unique and they are unique individuals.  They are creative dreamers first and cake makers second.

Ruler:   Bobby Flay  

Mr. Throw Down himself who thinks he can outcook the best in their fields and thrives on the challenge it presents him.  His personality is commanding, and when he is in the room, say judging contestants for Food Network Star, he seems to be the one in charge.  

 

Robert Irvine is also probably a no nonsense ruler who is bossy without trying.

Giver:    Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck

These two men have made themselves into product names.  Wolfgang Puck was one of the first celebrity chefs, and he has restaurants all over the U.S..  They each have a number of restaurants and products, like cookware or special spices.  They are chefs, but with a salesman edge. 

They can't help but market themselves, their ideas, and their products.

 

Exhorter:  Jamie Oliver, Mario Battali,  Paula Deen 

These three are game changers, which is always the destiny and role of the exhorter.  They have influenced the whole culture with their own values.  Jamie tried to fight obesity in American schools.  Mario has taught the culture about true Italian cuisine, and Paula made Southern comfort food a national obsession.  They have big, compelling personalities and while they are good chefs, they are also masters of influence and the feeling of the joy and comfort of food and community.

Teacher:  Alton Brown

Alton is a great teacher, explaining methods and why they work and approaching cooking like a science that he unravels for us.  It is his goal to find the best way to do everything, and then challenge himself to unravel it and explain it to his audience.  

Servant:  Ree Drummond

Interesting that Ree, as a servant,  lives in Oklahoma, a servant state.  She is very happy to be on the land there, "in the middle of nowhere," and whatever she cook is  delicious. (I know because I try her recipes a lot.)  But whatever she cooks is designed "serve someone" and she cooks it to please them or honor them.   She is always loading up her car and driving out to where everyone is working with lunch, or breakfast.  She has family over to eat, and she is eager to make every occasion a chance to serve delicious food and honor the ones she loves.

Prophet:  Gordon Ramsey

I believe that Gordan Ramsey is a prophet.  He demands excellence.  He can be demanding, relentless, vocal, passionate, and brutal. He screams and stomps about, but he knows that people are floundering and they could do much, much better.  He sees root of the problems know how to fix it.  He can wound but oftens come back around to heal relationships.  this is not the finest expression of prophet, but he does have influence and creates change.    When people do follow their advice, it often works very well and the restaurants they "save" are actually saved.  Despite their extreme tactics they often have the truth and cause people to rise up and believe in themselves and their abilities to succeed.  They demand excellence, and when they get it, success follows.  It also seems to be permissable for the chef to rant and rave to get what he wants, more so than other professions.

Having said that, I realize that Ramsey could be seen as ruler, and he does thrive under pressure and enjoy putting others under pressure.  Th

But the fact that he comes in and dismantles the lies and denial that are causing  the restaurants to fail, and come up with a plan to rescue them, makes me think prophet.  They never think a task is too great, or that people can't be helped.  They are usually highly regarded at the end of the mission because they have set a good path of success and demonstrated, despite their cruelty at times, that they care about the people and their success.  Theirs is a process of tearing down and building up, which is prophet.  

 

Comments

05.01.2018 04:43

Chinwe

I'm going to watch these shows in a whole new way! Thank you for these examples; this is a very helpful and practical way to explain the gifts...to fellow foodies!

16.11.2015 18:20

Sherri

I deeply appreciate all the teachings on redemptive gifts, beginning with Arthur Burk's teachings. They give me clarity, peace, a better understanding of my own identity and the identities of others.