Gigi couldn't believe how comfortable she felt with Ryan, a complete stranger she had just met on the flight. She had poured out all her fears and insecurities to him without any hesitation. Ryan had listened patiently, offering words of comfort and encouragement. It was as if they had known each other for years. As the flight progressed, Gigi and Ryan continued to talk while eating fried chicken. sharing stories about their lives and dreams. Gigi was amazed to learn that Ryan was also a fellow wine enthusiast. "I must say this is one of my most fun flight conversations" Ryan said, looking at her with admiration. "Otherwise, it's always some dude in his mid 40s coping through an existential crisis." Gigi laughed genuinely for the first time in a long time, she felt like herself again.
Ryan's words had given her the boost she needed to. As they landed in California, Gigi and Ryan exchanged numbers, promising to keep in touch. Gigi knew that she had made a friend for life, someone who understood her dreams and aspirations. As she stepped out of the airport with her aunt, Gigi felt a sense of excitement wash over her.
She reached home to find her parents more than happy to see their daughter. Conversation struck hard and didn't stop for days. Gigi made her parents lots of food Pavlovas, Challahs, Tres Leches cake, croissants and so much more.
One day, at night she remembered what her friend Ryan had said to her when she told him about why she went to pastry school. 'No matter how much you love your parents and want to fulfill their unachieved dreams, never forget who you truly are. It is your identity and life which is caught up in all this.' said Ryan
These words hit Gigi hard and she soon realised how she had succumbed to the undue weight of her father's dream. She decided to put all of this behind her, face her exam result whatever it may be and work hard not for her dad, but for herself.
Soon she officially graduated from the Swiss Culinary Arts Academy with an unexpectedly at par result. However, little did she know that this was just the beginning of an extremely taxing career in the culinary industry.
Her very first stint was at Panella a patisserie in Rome, Italy as a commis chef. She worked there for a good 21 months which was enough for her to come to terms with the harsh realities of being a chef. After having worked at Panella for a year and being drained emotionally and physically, Gigi was discontent, to say the least. She wanted more and was grinding constantly.
One day, after her shift was over, she was just cleaning up and preparing a few things for the next day when she came across that month's edition of Regno Dello Chef, an Italian magazine that covered some of the greatest chefs in its issues. On its cover was Massimo Bottura, chef patron of Osteria Francescana, a three-Michelin-star restaurant based in Modena, Italy. On that day, Gigi researched all about Massimo Bottura and got to know that his restaurant was hiring. Without thinking twice, she emailed her resume expecting no reply . That's when the bell rung even though they were closed. She was really frustrated at first thinking who would it be but opened the door to find Ryan standing at the door.
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