AT THE TIME, HE WAS RIDICULED FOR TAKING ONLY A “VOCATIONAL COURSE,” BUT THEY WERE THE ONES WHO GOT HIM ON HIS KNEES WHEN HE RETURNED HOME AS A FAMOUS CHEF FROM EUROPE
“Tech-Voc? TESDA? Oh, Dante! What a shame you are so clever!”
Aunt Cecil almost burst out laughing as the whole family ate. It was a reunion of the Reyes family. Dante and Mark had just graduated from high school.
“Look at that, Mark,” said Aunt Cecil proudly, shaking her son’s arms. “Accountancy will be taken from Manila. This is going to be a CPA Lawyer.
You? What? From onion slices? From the washing pan? There’s no such thing as that, man!”
Dante was stunned.
“I really like to cook, Auntie. When I was a kid, I loved it.”
“Passion? “Your family doesn’t want to die!” exclaimed Mark. “Then, think about it. If you’re a professional professional, you’re just a blue collar job. You’re just a slave to the coats and ties.”
With a sigh, Dante didn’t finish the meal. He went home with a heavy heart—but a firm decision. He studied Culinary Arts at vocational school, worked in a grocery store, became a line cook on a ship… That is, until his family lost the news.
TEN YEARS HAVE PASSED.
Aunt Cecil’s Catering Services collapsed. They were saddled with debt. Mark, even a CPA, was laid off because of redundancy—hard to find a place to stay because of the high level of pride and demanding wages.
“Mom, we need to get the contract at the Royal Crown Hotel,” Mark said, visibly desperate. “There are a lot of investors from Europe. It is up to the local vendor to decide. “If we do that, we will be able to pay off the debt.”
They were dressed in a shabby manner. They brought with them a food tasting menu—a little spared in ingredients, but still hopeful.
When it comes to the hotel, the other bidders are social, the presentation is good. Aunt Cecil was worried.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” sabi ng Hotel Manager. “Please welcome our Executive Chef and Global Partner, holder of 3 Michelin Stars in Paris… Chef Dante Reyes!”
The door opened. The man in the white chef’s uniform entered—clean, elegant, with gold embroidery on his chest.
Yes, Dante.
The Dante they call “onion slicers.”
The Dunkin’ Donuts that they despised.
Now investors are surprised.
THE FOOD TASTING HAS BEGUN.
Dante was silent as each bidder tasted the food.
That is, until he came to see Aunt Cecil.
“D-Dante… crazy…” And then there’s Mark.
Dante just stared, emotionless. Their caldera was shattered.
Swallowing, he dropped the spoon.
“The meat is spicy. The sauce is made with tomato paste. And the potatoes… raw.”
Namula si Tita Cecil.
“Dante… “Your Aunt is me. Give it to us. We just need a break.”
Dante nodded, his voice firm.
“In my kitchen, there was no kitchen, no kitchen. The only thing that matters is excellence. At the time, you said I was just a tech-Voc. I’m just a “maid.” So I put in the effort. Because cooking is art, discipline, and respect—which isn’t in your cooking right now.”
“Chef,” sabi ng Manager, “are we rejecting this bidder?”
Dante nodded.
“Yes. Reject.”
Aunt Cecil panicked. He knelt down in front of a crowd of people.
“Dante! You seem to have mercy! We are going to lose our house! Mark was unemployed. Please help us!”
Mark nodded as well, barely able to breathe.
“Then… Sorry. I’m sorry for what we said. Please help us.”
THE WHOLE ROOM WAS SILENT.
Dante took a deep breath.
“Stand up,” he commanded.
I will not give you a contract. Your food is not wasted. The name of the hotel will be ruined.”
Aunt Cecil cried even more.
“BUT…” Dante nodded.
“I’m looking for a Dishwasher and Prep Cook for my new restaurant at the back of the hotel.”
He looked at Mark.
“You’re a CPA, aren’t you? You are very good at math. You can take inventory of vegetables and organize plates. Minimum wage. Are you going to eat it or are you going to starve?”
Mark stopped. The job he once despised—now the only answer to a living.
“I’ll take it, Chief.”
“Good,” Dante replied. “There’s a lot of backwashing. Learn how to start with your mouth… You have to learn to respect the work of others.”
Dante nodded and went on with his work.
Aunt Cecil and Mark were left behind—embarrassed, crushed by pride, and now knowing the most important lesson:
Success is not measured by course or title.
It is measured by skill, hard work, and character.