April 26, 2014

I ran into a great piece by Kalyan Karmakar aka @FinelyChopped about the story of Prabhakar Desai and the founding of Sindhudurg. 

The against-the-odds theme of his life story is one you see repeated many times over in various acts of life. Vim and vigor, coupled with deep-seated focus, is a formidable potion in the pursuit of success.

Those qualities however, are not the genesis of mastery and excellence, they are prerequisites. What separates great from good, enduring from fleeting - is far more elusive.

To continue with the culinary theme, we marvel at the deep connection René Redzepi establishes with his food, at the unbridled joy and curiosity of Juan Mari Arzak, at the reverence with which Sawada Koji-san treats all things aquatic.

Beyond extraordinary dedication, consistency and creativity - what separates them from their peers is an unrelenting drive to connect with their ingredients. It is three parts respect, two parts curiosity and one part obsession. They understand that their differentiation stems from the hues, tastes, textures and joy only their sources can deliver.

Thus, to burn ever so brightly, we must love and honor what we create with. It is the only path to enduring excellence.

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