INTERNATIONAL CHEFS DAY: CHEF JP PAYS TRIBUTE TO DR BILL GALLAGHER
Today (October 20th) we are celebrating International Chefs Day. For me, this global occasion will always be in loving memory of the founder of this day, Dr Bill Gallagher, honouring his life of culinary wisdom and his love for the people around him.
The good thing is that the death of this iconic chef and wonderful man in May 2016 did nothing to stop the annual celebration of International Chefs Day on October 20th.
He created International World Chefs Day to not only celebrate our profession – but also to help remind us that we have a duty to pass on our culinary love and knowledge to the next generation of chefs as well as to encourage both cooks and patrons to be creative with food whilst, at the same time, recognising the importance of balancing the enjoyment of food with health and a good lifestyle.
It’s fitting, then, that this year’s campaign for International Chefs Day is entitled “Growing A Healthy Future” and centres on teaching children about healthy eating. The official line is that, with chefs’ input, education and help, children will be able to not only create recipes out of healthy foods but actually understand the origin of good foods.
That’s a theme that has already bobbed up in previous blogs and will become an important part of future blogs, so watch this space. Meanwhile, back to Dr Bill Gallagher …
MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME
I had the honour of meeting Billy in 2003 at the World Cook’s Tour for Hunger. We immediately connected. Thirteen years later, were still so close, working together with the World Association of Chefs Society (WACS) and South African Chefs Society (SACS).
FROM CHEF JP'S PHOTO ALBUM
In those early stages of our friendship, I worked with a company that was tasked with gathering all the visual and written material that would be used by the media to publicise and explain the World Cook’s Tour for Hunger. What started out as a professional relationship soon developed into a bond and a long lasting friendship. He took me under his wing. He even called me ‘my son’.
Being involved with the first World Cooks Tour for Hunger taught me so much as a chef. As a human being, it taught me even more. The tears that we shed, the laughter and meeting chefs from across the globe made this campaign so successful.
Eight years later, we had another World Chefs Tour for Hunger (WCTH) where 140 chefs revisited and added value for the campaign that Billy had started.
In 2000, an attempted hijacking in Sandton, Johannesburg, left Billy a quadriplegic and the culinary world shocked. But that proved just another chapter in this great man’s life.
Today, Billy, I’m taking my chef’s hat off to thank you for what you have taught me. Despite being in a wheelchair, you did not give up. Although you could not live without your chair and had no feeling in your hands, you continued to make a difference.
Can you imagine how hard it must be if you can only use your mind and can’t do anything tangibly – especially if you are a chef? But Billy’s strong mind and dedication to life – in fact, his love for life – made him the most endearing genius.
After the first WCTH in 2003, I was invited to attend my first WACS Conference in Dublin, Ireland. It was an honour to represent South Africa, the culinary melting pot of Africa, at the conference.
We were treated like royalty, learning skill sets in workshops and sharing culinary skills and, of course, traveling around Dublin to some of the best restaurants and pubs in Ireland.
Because I was there over my birthday, I was treated by Billy to an outing to the most famous brew house in the world – The Guinness factory. Believe me, the Guinness was flowing till early bells – probably because I wasn’t aware that our next outing was to the Jameson distillery! Damn, I respect the Irish drinking habits!
In 2011, we all reunited for another WCTH. It turned out be one of the greatest success stories, raising R8-million rand for various charities and the foundations. It was a true honour to spend effortless time with all the international chefs involved. I still remember the fun that we had together.
After saying our tearful goodbyes, we would meet up again in three years in Norway. Sadly, this time, Billy’s health has taken a bit of a turn, so I remember visiting him and his wife at his homestead. Sadly, shortly after that, he passed on.
But he also imparted an incredible message to me – if you can believe in yourself, no matter what obstacles that life throws in your way, you can still fulfil your dreams and aspirations. I admit that I have tears in my eyes whilst typing this. I salute you my friend, fellow chef and mentor.
A CULINARY LEGACY
Today, Dr Billy Gallagher’s legacy continues as we celebrate and honour World Chefs Day.
The theme this year of “Growing a Healthy Future for Our Kids, is all about all chefs paying closer attention to healthy eat habits and lifestyles. The aim is to encourage kids to be creative with food. I appreciate the lovely incentives to encourage our next generation of foodies – including having kids create their own menus, grow their own gardens and educate their friends on the role that food can play in not only helping us to enjoy the pleasure of eating together but also in how we can use our precious resources to make sure that we can still enjoy eating in a sustainable world.
So, to all my friends, chefs across the globe, Happy World Chefs Day!
