A while back I came across a book, which I really liked. It was on the website, and after discussion we decided to make it one of our Books of the Year, for that year. Fast forward a bit; I finally got a chance to go to this particular chef’s restaurant. Really liked it. Met the chef. Had a great chat with a terrific guy.
I mentioned the chef at this restaurant to an acquaintance of mine who had a national radio show. He didn’t know him, but visits the restaurant. Emails me back, tells me he loves the place and decided to have the chef on his radio show. Getting some national and international exposure in that regard, that led to, I think, a national magazine article for the chef. Terrific. I was happy. Terrific guy well deserved.
Fast forward a bit, I started working on a film project. A documentary, so I said, “Well, this guy would be great to have in the film. I’ll speak to him about it.” So I reached out. Now he has an agent who calls me back and says, “He’d like to know who else is in the film.” So I explained we’re just getting a line-up organized and there’s not a lot of names. So I mentioned the few we already had involved. The agent calls back and says, “You know, when you get a few more chefs involved, let us know and we’ll get back to you.”
So fast forward another year and another magazine article, and appearance on my friend’s radio show. So the chef is doing well. A Michelin star was awarded. Again, he was doing well as well before I got involved, but I can’t help but to think I did get him some great exposure. I was feeling rather good with myself. Pay another visit to his restaurant. He remembers me. We have another great chat. I don’t bring up the film in any way whatsoever.
So the film project is coming along, with more chefs involved. I would still like to have this chef in the project. Another email goes out to the agent who again asked the same question. “So, who’s involved in the film?” So I email him the list of all the chefs involved, again. As well as dropping hints of what I had done. So I figured, “Right. This is going to be a go, for sure.”
And then I get an email back saying, “Yeah, it’s not really right for him.” And so I’m thinking, “Well, there’s got to be some quid pro quo here, Chef you mother fu….
Moving on, I haven’t bothered to get in touch or dine at his restaurant again. When I moved house his book got ‘lost’. My quid pro quo only goes so far.