The Chef Who Gave BACK His THREE Michelin Stars

When he basically says, " I'm being judged by people that know less than I do," it is a very powerful statement that everyone should consider.

I love that Marco did a complete 180. He pushed hard in his early career but realized that there’s more to life and just making good food without it being perfect is all that matters. I’m lucky to have met him and hope he continues to inspire people.

"I didn't made him cry, he made himself cry. It was his choice to cry" Every asian mom.

Marco earned my complete respect by two simple acts. First, as a guest judge at amateur cooking competitions he was firm and strict but incredibly kind. He wanted people to love cooking and develop their passion, he fully understood these are mums and dads and teenagers who are there simply to be better at doing something they love and he didn't want to damage that in any way. The second was when he did a series of quick recipes using stock cubes. Basically they were extended adverts for Knorr and he was roundly ridiculed and derided by the industry. His response - "You cannot criticise a man for going to work. You simply can not do that." And he was absolutely right - a real man will do whatever it takes to provide a roof and food on the table for his family. You cannot belittle him for that.

I entirely agree with Marco on this. I used to go to a guy named ricky for sushi. He had at the time recently moved to the dc area from tokyo. It wasnt the restaurant it was his omakase and passion for his craft that elevated the experience. He would text me and some other regulars when he was at the fish market to see if there was enough demand to do something special and fun on a small scale 😭 He moved to Michelin star restaurant its out of budget for me now😭😭😭

I admire his straightforwardness. Honesty. He is 100% correct. They now get amateurs to judge these things.

This guy was the first rockstar chef and he easily changed the culinary world.

As my former head chef said "You don't need a guide to know where to go, just ask people and we don't need them (guides and critique) to say our food is good. Let those who enjoy tell others." this is his pep talk after an influencer gave us a bad review because we didn't gave her a "discount" because she's an influencer.

He didn’t give up the stars. They gave themselves up, it was their choice. Just like my dear mother used to do. Very simple.

I simply believe Marco was at the point that he doesn't need other peoples approval to validate the food he makes. I will never doubt his passion for cooking and I truly understand his passion in creation as being forced to create the same old thing everyday is boring and stressful. I have a lot of respect for this master.

I gave up Cheffing 7 years ago and never regretted it. My phone used to be full of photos of beautiful plates of food, now its full of photos of adventures with my beautiful family ❤

Marco reminds me of a small restaurant owner I met in a rural part of Kyushu, Japan who had a little shack in a somewhat visited tourist spot. Whenever people would enter his store he would tell them that the only way they could eat at his restaurant is if they ordered drinks and after you’d drink it down he’d then say “now let’s get you some water to wash it down with”. When we asked him about his background he said he that ran some of the top restaurants in Kyushu. However, it wasn’t fulfilling to him so he left it behind and decided to cook in his little shack in that little town. Probably some of the best food I’ve had if I may say.

I had the honor of watching him cook last month at a small food festival, he had people cook along with him and then tasted all of their dishes and judged them. He was so incredibly nice and sincere to everyone, gave his plate he cooked to a young kid to enjoy, completely different to how you would've imagined him to be. Clearly he chose right as he seems happy while still being passionate about food.

The reason that Michilin stara were created was to get people to drive long distances to drive sales that way their tires would wear out quicker. They would purposely give stars to restaurants far apart. After awhile it became a prestigious award. So now you have very talented chefs breaking their backs. Sleeping on their prep tables to present a dish to a tire company. The irony is so disheartening everything you've ever worked for. To be judged by a tire company that couldn't care less of thr nuances in flavors and pairings.

As a chef that's been in the industry for 3 years. Starting as a kid is rough, dealing with backstabbing rossetted kitchens and head chefs that hate you for no apparent reason, I'd be confused as to why anyone would want to join in on this life. But then I remember the same reason I did, the passion. But as Marco said passion can only get you so far before you burn out .

What's fascinating is that Ramsay opened his restaurant in 1998 and achieved 3 Michelin stars three years later, and nowdays is rarely seen cooking in the kitchen, either venturing around the world or on TV or opening more restaurants (some with Michelin Star ratings). So in a way, Marco is right about someone pretending to cook when they don't.

Marco is the Human Cuisinart and his skill is something to behold. Doubt will ever try his food but would love to have the opportunity. And kudos to him for throwing rude aholes out of his restaurant.

Five Knorr Chicken stockpots for this video 👌🏻

He realized, loving to cook was better than loving recognition for it

This man achieved his dreams and, instead of burning himself up, went "Alright, time to chill out" - what a g, what an example