Creative Inspiration From the culinary world
The most creative people in the world always evoke emotion with their work. While I’ve never had to opportunity to experience one of Grant Achatz’s multi-Michelin starred restaurants in person, I have followed his journey and admired his creativity for years, most notably through the 2016 Netflix documentary, The Chef’s Table, which featured his innovative approach to cuisine, and his battle with stage 4 tongue cancer. Can you imagine being a world-class chef and losing your sense of taste? If you haven’t seen this episode of the Chef’s Table, I highly recommend it the next time you are feeling less than creative. I guarantee you will come away feeling inspired.
Grant Achatz from his Instagram
What I love the most about Chef Achatz and his approach is that he is designing an experience and using a meal to tell a story. He and his team create a sense of intrigue and mystery, leaving guests wondering what might be next. Even former Gourmet Magazine Editor Ruth Reichl described Alinea as “a fabulous experience” and “sheer exuberant fun.” All 5 senses are employed, and that is by design. There is a true element of theater in each service.
After just a few minutes of the Chef’s Table, you realize how much effort goes into making it all look effortless. But you also get a true sense of the dedication Achatz has to creating this experience for his guests, right down to searching for and sometimes commissioning just the right vessel in which to serve a dish and working with new techniques to make things like edible balloons. This is a reminder that elevating and pushing the boundaries of design matters. Details, presentation, and of course, the food are all elements in creating a magical experience.
Alinea Gallery from Alinea Group
“The ethos of the Alinea Group is to push boundaries, sacrifice for the benefit of creativity & excellence, and challenge conventions by simply asking… why?” ~ Grant Achatz
Ultimately, it’s all about how people feel. As artists and designers, or anyone creative for that matter, everything we create should evoke emotion. Too often, we compromise, and if we want a world that continues to value and appreciate a point of view and what design brings to the table, we need to go all in. Or as Achatz says, “What makes the food that we do at Alinea so interesting on the outside is that we really don’t let ourselves say no to an idea.”
What happens if you don’t give up so easily? What if you find a way to make your vision work? Grant Achatz and Alinea are a masterclass in the power of pushing boundaries. I hope you find as much creative inspiration in his work as I do.
