Forget Yesterday — Lead Today
How one quiet moment reshaped the way I lead under pressure — in and beyond the kitchen.
How one quiet decision taught me everything about leadership under pressure
There are moments in a chef’s career that don’t involve applause or awards—but silence. Moments where you choose who you’re becoming as a leader.
One of mine happened in the middle of a mistake.
It wasn’t my mistake. It was one of my sous chefs—a young, talented cook who froze during a crucial dinner service. The meat came back overcooked. The garnish was off. He knew it before the plate even left the pass.
Everyone turned to me, waiting for the reaction.
And in that moment—I didn’t yell. I didn’t throw the plate. I didn’t relive the error.
I simply said: “It’s done. Let’s focus on today.”
That moment became Rule #3 of my book The 10 Rules of the Chef in the Modern Era:
Forget yesterday.
Not because mistakes don’t matter.
But because what matters more is how you carry them.
The Problem with Carrying Yesterday
Early in my career, I let a bad service stay with me long after the kitchen closed.
I’d relive every error: the broken sauce, the overcooked risotto, the disappointed look on a guest’s face. I’d walk into the kitchen the next day cold, closed off—and the team would feel it. We’d underperform again, not because we lacked skill, but because we were carrying emotional weight we didn’t need.
I was contaminating the present with the past.
What I Do Now
I’ve developed a simple ritual that I still use to this day:
Reflect briefly after service — no blame, just clarity.
Share one honest lesson with the team — keep it constructive.
Let it go. Start fresh the next day.
Leadership isn’t about clinging to every mistake. It’s about knowing when to let them go—so you can move forward with focus and calm.
Why This Rule Matters
In kitchens across more than ten countries, I’ve seen great chefs collapse under the pressure of perfection. I’ve seen leaders hold onto one bad service for weeks. And I’ve seen how much more powerful it is when a team gets permission to begin again.
When you forget yesterday, you make space for learning.
For trust.
For growth.
You give your team—and yourself—the chance to rise again.
Next week: Rule #4 — Plan Ahead for Tomorrow
Because good leadership starts before the first ticket is fired.
Cristian Marino
Italian Executive Chef | Culinary Consultant | Author of 10 Rules of the Chef in the Modern Era
we tend to forget this . Thank you for remind us all
Nice one