Before the Orders Come In, The Leadership Begins

Planning ahead isn’t just a task. It’s the heartbeat of a great kitchen.This article is inspired by my book, 10 Rules of the Chef in the Modern Era. While the book offers a practical and concise guide, here I’d like to dive deeper into one of its core principles—highlighting how thoughtful preparation shapes true leadership in the kitchen.

Every chef knows the feeling: the dinner service is about to begin and there’s a particular tension in the air. Not necessarily because something has already gone wrong, but because something always could. And when it does, you quickly discover whether your team is truly prepared.

I started writing these '10 Rules' on a board outside my office as daily reminders. Over time, these rules became the heart of the book: a simple yet powerful toolkit for culinary leadership and effective teamwork.

Real readiness doesn’t start with the first incoming ticket. It starts hours earlier, in a clearly communicated morning briefing, in mise…