3 Lessons from Top Chef Season 5

February 5th, 2009

You can find career and life guidance anywhere you look as long as you keep your eyes open and your brain on. Here are three lessons I’ve gotten from Top Chef this season:

The Importance of Editing- Jeff is a good cook. Nobody doubts it. And he’s made some good dishes during the season. But the guy doesn’t know how to pare down his many ideas, how to pick one thing and make it a complete dish. More often, he ends up with several disparate and not-that-impressive items on the plate which compete for his attention in the kitchen and the judges’ palates during tasting.

Focus- Personal feelings, whether a grudge held against a seemingly arrogant co-worker, a crush gone out-of-control or something else of that nature, can cloud your judgement and ability to concentrate on the task at hand. The winners in these types of reality competitions, as well as the people who triumph when faced with challenges in real life, are those who can set aside emotional turmoil and hone in on whatever is needed to get the job done. And the lovebirds and others who pay more attention to the other players than their own performance go home early, wondering why they failed to take the prize.

Confidence- On episode 9, Restaurant Wars, two of the contestants, Carla and Stefan, had issues with their desserts due to a malfunctioning freezer. Carla lived with the effects, resulting in an unappetizing sorbet “stew,” while when Stefan, who has been accused by other contestants of being full of himself, realized there was an issue and immediately set about problem-solving. Stefan is so sure of himself, when he is faced with a setback, he has no doubt he can overcome it. And so he does.

What lessons have you gotten from reality TV?

Related posts:

1. Another Lesson From Top Chef Season 5

Filed under: college grads, mid-career professionals, miscellaneous career advice

Tags: career advice, top chef