“And from deep inside me six voices all echoed yes, yes, yes as we prepared to join forces and move on.” Ruth Reichl
I have a huge announcement. One that has been tough to decide on, but definitely the right choice for my future. Yesterday, at 9:45am, I walked in to my director, Peter Boal’s office, and retired from my job of seven years at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Yes. This is an unconventional time to retire. And, yes, I did have to break my contract with the company that I signed until June 2010. But, I have a really, really good excuse. I promise.
I am going to start cooking/Staging full time for Ethan Stowell’s restaurants! The plan is for me to work Thursday through Saturday, Staging, like I have been doing all summer. The catch, though, is that I will not just be working at Anchovies & Olives. I am going to work a month in each of Ethan’s restaurants (How To Cook A Wolf, Tavolata, and Union) learning everything I can from his talented team of Chefs. Then, Sunday through Tuesday, I am going to learn front of the house where I get to wear cute dresses, and high heels, and be the host of the party. Maybe I will even paint my nails those days, since I am not allowed to have paint on them while I am cooking. I have never worked in a restaurant before June 18 of this year. So, I need to learn every aspect of how the food business works.
The outpouring of love and support about this decision has been unimaginable. People are so excited for me, which makes the transition easier, of course. I stood in front of my ballet family, almost 50 of them, and cried as I told them I was resigning. They were shocked, of course, but they all want what is best for me. I am now a former dancer. A retiree. And, I am starting at the beginning, into a new world that I just have scratched the surface of.
Chefdom is meant for me. It seems like a natural transition, and as you all know, I adore it. I will miss dancing, and nothing will ever replace the feeling of bowing in front of 2500 people after you have done a muscle wrenching solo, or a huge ensemble piece will the entire company. But, I think I have found something I love just as much, if not more. I am thrilled to be a novice, and to be humbled every day as I learn a whole new art form. So, I will now have pedicured feet and shorter hair than I was ever allowed for ballet. I will be become a night-owl, and probably have more meat on my bones than I have ever had before.
It is a thrill. I am officially going to become a Chef!
Love, Kari
“Women line cooks are a particular delight. Having a tough-ass, foul mouthed, trash-talking female line cook on your team can be a true joy.” Anthony Bourdain
August 26, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Oh, Kari! Congratulations. This is so exciting, and it sounds like the rotations will be a great setup for you so you can learn all sorts of things. I am so impressed: at your bravery and at your passion. What a fabulous journey it will be!
August 26, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Well I am glad to hear you feel like you know what you want and your seizing the day. May all your graces follow you on your new pursuit and may I be lucky enough to run into you soon.
August 26, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oh congratulations and best of luck on this amazing transition!! I’ll definitely continue to follow your journey!
August 26, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Kari, I can’t wait to eat your food! One step closer to opening a lavish joint where you and Amanda cook, and Erik and I sit in the bar and get drunk!
Bueno Suerte!!
August 26, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I don’t know you at all, but stumbled upon your blog. How wonderful for you! I can’t wait to read more about your adventures. So exciting!
August 26, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Wow, congratulations! I miss my professional dancing days, but so many good things have happened since I left, and opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Wish you all the best!
August 26, 2009 at 2:22 pm
very inspiring - and good job squeezing in the manicures and new hair do!
August 26, 2009 at 2:22 pm
A thousand congratulations on this decision! I have to say I am more than a little jealous of this amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to vicariously live it through your writing. Best of luck!
August 26, 2009 at 2:22 pm
This is just so exciting! I’m so happy for you. I’m sure it was difficult to come to this decision, but a million congratulations, really.
August 26, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Wow Kari! This is amazing! You are going from one exciting adventure to another! Best of luck to you in your new endeavor!
August 26, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Way to go! You continue to inspire.
August 26, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Kari,
You have to follow your heart with love and career choices!
Lots of luck to you. So nice you are going to follow your other passion!
Love, Stacey
August 26, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Kari,
I have so much admiration for you- you are so unbelievably brave and strong to have made that decision! Congratulations and enjoy the journey ahead! :0)
August 26, 2009 at 2:57 pm
That is so incredibly inspiring. It’s been a pleasure to follow along in your journey and I can’t wait to hear about what happens next.
August 26, 2009 at 3:00 pm
So many congrats to you — and how wonderful you have found thing you are both meant and want to do. Big decisions like these are never easy but when you know it’s right, it’s so right.
August 26, 2009 at 3:14 pm
You rock, girl! Can we still tell you to break a leg?
You are an inspiration.
August 26, 2009 at 3:32 pm
what a huge decision! you will always be one of my favorite ballerinas and im sure you will soon be one of my favorite chefs, too! congrats and good luck!
August 26, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Boo for Seattle ballet, but hooray for Seattle cuisine!
August 26, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Kudos to the risk takers of the world…Congrats & all the best on this big bold move. Now, get cursing quickly
August 26, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Kari, I am so excited for you! Not everyone finds two passions to pursue in life - we will miss you, but ,YOU GO GIRL!
August 28, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Kari - now I understand why you turned in your ponytail…… Congratulations on this new exciting move and for the successful first career you just ended. You should be very proud of yourself for finding your passion and for your bravery in taking the plunge. My best wishes to you, I know you’ll be a success!
August 26, 2009 at 4:23 pm
This is such exciting news! I adore your passion. Plus now I have an excuse as to why i MUST visit all the stowell restaurants over the next 4 months.
August 26, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Congrats Kari!
#2
August 26, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Wow Kari. That is really awesome. Huge props for taking the plunge.
Good luck on learning the restaurant business. I have a feeling you’ll be just fine though
August 27, 2009 at 11:33 am
Kari -
I went to medical school and decided not to pursue a residency (decided to focus on business side of medicine). I even went so far as to not take my boards to make sure to close that door. Someone once told me that the root of the word decide/decide is the Latin “cide” whereby you need to kill off one option — it’s hard to keep too many balls in the air at one time. Congratulations to you for making a decision and closing one door. It took a lot of courage and it sounds like you’ll be happier for it. Best of luck and I look forward to following your journey!
August 27, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Congrats, Kari! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to continue reading about your adventures.
August 27, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Huge Congratulations. Way to be brave and go for it……really awesome decision.
August 27, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Congratulations Kari! I know PNB and its audiences will miss you, but it’s also amazingly exciting for you to get the chance to pursue another of your passions. I look forward to the new recipes, whenever you get a chance, and the stories of your life as you transition to this next adventure. xoxo merde!
August 27, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Congratulations, that is so exciting! I will miss watching you on stage but look forward to reading about your new endeavors!
August 27, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I ran across your blog quite some time back, and have to say I reallu enjoy reading it. I too am someone who started to realize I like good food and I like to make good food. My fiance suggested I try my hand in a restaurant as well, because like you I cant seem to stop reading recipes or watching anything and everything about food. Can I ask how you were able to intern at such a restauarant? Last experience I had was 17 as a hostess. Not sure how I can walk in and say, “Hi I have no experience at all, but I do have my food permit. I want to learn to cook. Can I intern?”
Any advice you have for how I too can get into a restaurant, I would greatly appreciate it.
August 28, 2009 at 2:23 am
Congrats Kari! How exciting for you! I remember how I felt when I gave up doing opera stage roles–it was hard but I never regretted it.