I have taken one of the bigger decisions of my life : It is time to stop giving my time and talent to others and in 2011 I will open my own restaurant. Most likely in Paris. Voila. Big big decision. I am excited and scared at the same time.
I handed in a resignation letter 2 weeks ago, after my weekend with my friend Nina in Lucca, which reopenend my eyes towards my initial goal and dreams, that led to abandoning life #1. While the restaurant that employed me for more than a year has been a fantastic professional and human experience, lately a couple of changes happened, that I don't want to describe in detail here. But let's say I have certain values and principles that I don't compromise on, and so I draw the consequences. The owner couldn't have reacted better, in fact my resignation in his office started with me crying, because it hurts a lot to end a good experience for bad reasons, but it ended in a 2 hour consultation about restaurant creation, and each day he keeps giving me new advice, yesterday he even came up with a suggestion for a currently to-let restaurant in Paris. So I am happy to leave in very good terms, and will be able to quickly erase the last four negative weeks from my memory.
With two weeks distance I now realize that something had to happen to wake me up and to get me out of my comfortable easy life at the restaurant, otherwise I would probably still work there a couple of more years, avoiding to make the big jump.
Everybody I told was at first shocked to hear that I quit, especially after the press brochure and the good articles, but when I then described the recent situation, everybody agreed, that I had to go. The first "blessing" I needed to feel better was the one from Chef Sebastien, and I went to Ferrandi to explain him everything, one day after my resignation, and he also agreed on my decision. He has always been a key "element" in my life #2 and he will continue to be, as I move on now seriously to become an entrepreneur.
The rest of 2010 will now be spent with travelling, seeing friends that I miss, spending time with my family, my godchild, my grandmother who will turn 90 this year, and making more big decisions as part of my restaurant business plan.
As I say every night to my team, when the first order comes in : Allez, on attaque...
Wow! Yay! This is fantastic news, and it sounds like you have waited until the time was ripe - you've learned (maybe not everything, but a lot) of what you needed to and now it's time to move on. Congratulations!
Posted by: sydney | May 15, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Congratulations!! I am so happy that you feel good with your decision. It sounds like everything feel into place at just the right time.
Please continue posting here, as you make decisions on your own place and work through all the details and decisions. we all want to contine to "pull" for you and live our dreas through you.
I travel to Paris frequently and would love to eat at your restaurant.
Posted by: MIndy | May 16, 2010 at 07:17 PM
Woo-hoo Ulla!! Félicitations. This is great news and I wish you all the very best. Having taken my own big decision to change my (working) life in order to spend more time doing what I want with people who are important to me, I'm with you all the way. Look forward to eating in *your* Paris restaurant before too long. Don't forget those scones ;)
Posted by: Elaine | May 18, 2010 at 04:05 PM
wew! that's quite a big decision that is, okay for now just move on and i wish you all the best!
Posted by: Nursing gowns | May 28, 2010 at 03:47 AM
Congratulations Ulla! We were trying to plan to eat at your restaurant for my 40th birthday in August but were having difficulty with logistics, etc... So this will give us an even better reason to put planning off until 2011 so we can celebrate at your very own place, and we look very forward to it! Until then, Happy Trails! Kelli (Olivier Chatel's wife :))
Posted by: Kelli Parker | June 07, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Hey, thanks everybody for your warm comments and encouragements ! I will need those all along the way, this project is a tough one.
Kelli, I know who you are ;)))). What a nice idea ! I have celebrated myself my 40th birthday in Paris, while still living in Grenoble, the only way to make friends and family spread around Europe and the US to come at the same time easily to the same place. Will try to accelerate for your party ;)
Posted by: Ulla | June 08, 2010 at 10:46 PM
So exciting!! New beginnings! I've been reading your blog for a while now, and it's about time you made the leap!!!
Posted by: sav | June 25, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Hey! Good going! Great decision!
I really enjoy reading your blog and hope to keep following your steps towards your own place!
I might be in more or less the same position as you, but in another European capital...
All the best!
/ john
Posted by: John | September 06, 2010 at 07:46 AM
HIDING FROM THE MOUTAIN HIGH.....LOOKING AT MOON AND CLEAR BLUE SKY.....
Posted by: Louis Vuitton Bags | February 28, 2011 at 03:51 AM