Q #252: What business lessons can be learned from films about preparing a great meal?

Julia and Julie

Babette’s Feast
Big Night
Julia and Julie
Like Water for Chocolate
Ratatouille
Tampopo

As films such as these so effectively demonstrate, there are important business lessons to be learned from the preparation of a great meal:

1. Be passionate about the results that you intend to produce.
2. Have a detailed game plan (“recipe”) that allows for improvisation.
3. Use only the very best materials available.
4. Have all ingredients near-at-hand (i.e. Mis en Place).
5. Expect to make mistakes. The most valuable are those from which you learn the most.
6. Preparing as well as eating a great meal should be a delightful multi-sensory experience.
7. Timing is (almost) everything. If you rush or dawdle, you will fail.
8. Take a team approach and involve only those who are zealous about points 1-7.

Bon appetit!