Auguste Escoffier - Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for October 20th.Today is International Chefs Day, a global celebration that honors the culinary professionals who feed the world and inspire us with their creativity. Observed annually on October 20th since 2004, this special day was established by the late Chef Dr. Bill Gallagher, who was then president of the World Association of Chefs Societies, known as WorldChefs.International Chefs Day isn't just about celebrating great food – it's focused on educating children worldwide about the importance of eating healthy, promoting the noble profession of chefs, and encouraging culinary professionals to give back to their communities. Each year, WorldChefs selects a theme to guide celebrations, with recent themes focusing on healthy food for future generations and sustainability.What makes this day special is its global reach. Thousands of chefs from over 100 countries participate, hosting cooking workshops, visiting schools, and sharing their passion for food with the next generation. It's a reminder that chefs aren't just cooks – they're educators, artists, and guardians of both tradition and innovation in the kitchen.Today's quote comes from renowned French chef Auguste Escoffier, who said:"Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness."Escoffier's observation, from one of the most influential chefs in culinary history, captures something profound about the role chefs play in our lives. When he talks about "genuine happiness," he's not referring to temporary pleasure from a tasty meal – he's talking about the deeper contentment that comes from nourishment, both physical and emotional.Think about the role food plays in our most important moments. Celebrations, gatherings, comforting someone in distress, marking milestones – food is woven into the fabric of our human experience. Chefs are the architects of these moments, using their skills and creativity to create not just meals, but memories and connections.Escoffier, who revolutionized French cuisine in the late 1800s and early 1900s, understood that a chef's work goes far beyond technical skill. Yes, they must master techniques, understand flavors, and manage complex kitchen operations. But the truly great chefs also understand that they're creating experiences that contribute to people's fundamental wellbeing and happiness.International Chefs Day celebrates this broader vision of the chef's role – not just as someone who feeds us, but as someone who enriches our lives and shapes our relationship with food, health, and community.We've starting getting our kids to take over the cooking for one day a week each. It gives them some responsibility to prepare a meal and they get to learn recipes and cooking skills. And maybe that will lead them to genuine happiness.But more importantly this is three days of the week that Valerie and I don't have to cook! And that is definitely leading to some measurable happiness. Especially since as it turns out, the kids are pretty darn good chefs!
So today, honor International Chefs Day by recognizing the chefs in your life. Whether it's the professional chef at your favorite restaurant, a home cook who feeds your family with love, or even your own efforts in the kitchen – acknowledge the important work of feeding people well.Remember Escoffier's wisdom – good food isn't a luxury, it's foundational to human happiness. And those who dedicate their lives to creating it deserve our recognition and appreciation.That's going to do it for today, I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now. But I'll be back tomorrow. Same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.