Check out the full notes for “The Making of a Chef” by Michael Ruhlman
“I intended to learn how to cook and to write about how one learned.” — The Making of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman
One of my favorite writing frameworks from Shaan Puri is “The curious novice”.
In his content and courses, he points out that most people already have something to write about. You’re probably employed, so you have expertise in something. At least enough to be paid to do something.
And you have your entire life’s experience. Just by mixing those two things, you probably have something to write about that someone out there might relate to.
If you’re trying to write and learn about a different industry than your own, though, then you can’t just claim to be an expert. (Fake it till you make it has limits.)
Instead, you should take on the role of a curious novice. You’re no expert. But you’ll find a path to get there and share what you’re learning along the way.
That’s what Michael Ruhlman does in “The Making of a Chef”. He attends the Culinary Institute of America and shares his experience in his book. He wrote it in 1996. Twenty-six years later, it’s much easier to share an experience like this as you’re going along.
People are doing it all the time.
I’d love to show the transformation from today’s “before” picture to some future “after” picture. I guess if you’re entering a school, you have some confidence that academic transformation will happen as long as you’re following the rails and make it to the end.
Not easy, but the path is laid out.
If I want to write about and share this experience, I need to have a good end in mind that I’m working toward. Here’s a draft:
- 155 pounds, 15 pull-ups
- Kettlebell certification
- Some sort of fitness side business
That third bullet starts to get squishy. But I can definitely focus on the first two.
First, a body composition goal with a bodyweight workout goal that requires that a bunch of other stuff is in check.
Second, something I’ve wanted for a few years now but have not been disciplined enough to track, stick to it, and strive for. I’ll do that now.
I intend to learn how to lose weight and write about how one lost weight.