Today

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This happened to me twice. Both times while I was away staging in kitchens run by women. 

The River Cafe asked me to stay too. Ruth and Rose WERE London in 2000. Returning to my Canadian obligations was murder. 
 
In kitchens led by women, my talent was obvious.
 
Clear as day.

***
 
The first time I filed a proposal to stage with a woman was to go to Boston.

The executive chef I worked for told me, "the gender of a chef doesn't matter." He said it with an audience of male cooks looking on.

I longed to learn from a woman, look across a kitchen, and see a chef who looked like me running a successful restaurant.

It didn't matter. 

I cried writing this. 

***
  
I have more to say about Biba. 
 
The learning was so damn fine. Words can't adequately describe Lydia's talent for flavour. 

​Her palate was ALL THAT. 
 
She's Limited Edition. Pure Classic. A cook to make a whole damn country proud. 
 
I associate her with the early days of my freedom. 

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2005