We’re not going to sugarcoat it, being a chef can be a tough job and sometimes you really need a boost of inspiration to help you out. We’ve collected 13 inspirational chef quotes that’ll leave you feeling more motivated than any caffeine drink or triple shot, big gulp, iced coffee could ever do! From the UK to Japan, we’ve got quotes from the crème de la crème of the culinary world. No matter at which stage you find yourself in your gastronomy career, you’ll definitely be able to relate!
1. Gordon Ramsay – 3-Michelin Star Chef from the UK
“I don’t like looking back. I’m always constantly looking forward. I’m not the one to sort of sit and cry over spilt milk. I’m too busy looking for the next cow.”
2. Anne-Sophie Pic – 3-Michelin Star Chef from France
“I could [regain the third Michelin star] by being very focused, by cultivating my intuitions, by knowing where I wanted to go and being aware of my strengths and weaknesses, to build something and become more self-confident.”
? Learn more about Anne-Sophie Pic’s inspirational life!
3. Nobu Matsuhisa – Celebrity Chef, Hotelier, and Restaurateur from Japan
“People who make mistakes but try their best, other people will support. But people who make mistakes because they're lazy, nobody supports.”
4. Dominique Crenn – 3-Michelin Star Chef from the USA
“To do meaningful things, this is really important, you know… it’s about being human. Society tells a young child, ‘You’ve got to be rich, successful, you’ve got to be this and then you become a star.’ But what does it mean?”
5. Massimo Bottura – 3-Michelin Star Chef from Italy
“I tell them to study a lot and to find a deep interest. In the future, this interest can become passion, and through passion, you can transfer emotions to food. I tell young chefs to always have their feet on the ground… to travel with their eyes and ears open and absorb everything, but never forget who they are or where they come from.”
6. Daniela Soto-Innes – The World's Best Female Chef 2019 from Mexico
“If you're not a fun chef, it's better to change your profession because the kitchen is a party. Most cooks are the craziest and funniest people I've ever met.”
7. Joël Robuchon – The Most Michelin Starred Chef in the World from France
“I am very honored for all the distinctions and accolades, but what I am most sensitive to is my clientele and the fact they are pleased with my food and my restaurants.”
❓ Did you know that Joël Robuchon was voted Chef of the Century in 1989!
8. Julia Child – Chef, Author, and Television Personality from the USA
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”
9. Ferran Adrià – 3-Michelin Star Chef from Spain
“Risk is to do something that 99 percent of the time would be a failure.”
10. Clare Smyth – 3-Michelin Star Chef from the UK
“I always tell young chefs to taste everything all the time. Be greedy, test things, taste because it’s memory. So you’re always storing these things.”
11. Paul Bocuse – 3-Michelin Star Chef from France
“It is our duty to give meaning to the life of future generations by sharing our knowledge and experience; by teaching an appreciation of work well done and a respect for nature, the source of all life; by encouraging the young to venture off the beaten path and avoid complacency by challenging their emotions.”
12. Carme Ruscalleda – 3-Michelin Star Chef from Spain
“Everyone loves Michelin. It’s a mark of achievement that is recognized throughout the world, and it’s always thrilling to receive one. But I always say to my staff to aim higher… I ask everyone to imagine there is a fourth star and to strive for that.”
13. José Avillez – 2-Michelin Star Chef from Portugal
“When I wake up every morning, feeling exhausted and thinking of giving up, I think about the guest experience and the smiles on my customers' faces when they eat my food. For me, that's the most important thing and that makes me get out of bed every morning.”
We hope these chef quotes have given you some food for thought and reminded you how exciting it is to work in our industry. Have these quotes also inspired you to go to the next level and begin a new hospitality challenge? Browse thousands of chef jobs and find your dream position.
