“Bigfoot understood — as I came to understand — that character is far more important than skills or employment history. And he recognized character — good and bad — brilliantly. He understood, and taught me, that a guy who shows up every day on time, never calls in sick, and does what he said he was going to do, is less likely to fuck you in the end than a guy who has an incredible resume but is less than reliable about arrival time. Skills can be taught. Character you either have or don't have. Bigfoot understood that there are two types of people in the world: those who do what they say they're going to do — and everyone else.”
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
“Self-love is a good thing but self-awareness is more important. You need to once in a while go ‘Uh, I’m kind of an asshole.”
―
―
“The things we love we have to learn to leave alone.”
― Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao
― Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao
“I'm asked a lot what the best thing about cooking for a living is. And it's this: to be a part of a subculture. To be part of a historical continuum, a secret society with its own language and customs. To enjoy the instant gratification of making something good with one's hands--using all one's senses. It can be, at times, the purest and most unselfish way of giving pleasure (thought oral sex has to be a close second).”
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
Jess’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Jess’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Art, Humor and Comedy, Memoir, Philosophy, Poetry, Psychology, Religion, Self help, Spirituality, and Travel
Polls voted on by Jess
Lists liked by Jess

































