Create Your Own Definition of Success #27
a chef, a star, and the lesson of living on your own terms
Let’s begin with a story.
High in the French Alps, nestled in the village of Manigod, stood La Maison des Bois—a restaurant that was more than just a place to dine. It was a testament to authenticity and passion. Chef Marc Veyrat, renowned for his devotion to local ingredients, ensured that every element on the plate told a story of the region.
The milk came from cows he raised himself. The eggs were gathered daily from his own hens. And each morning, two botanists ventured into the alpine meadows to forage herbs for his kitchen.
In 2019, this culinary haven faced a setback. Veyrat’s restaurant, once a proud holder of three Michelin stars, was downgraded to two. The reason? An inspector claimed he had used cheddar cheese in a soufflé.
Veyrat was stunned.
He clarified that the dish included only local French cheeses and that the yellow hue came from saffron.
Not cheddar. Not even close. All local. All handcrafted.
His team was furious. His botanists, heartbroken. His pride, bruised.
He described the experience as “worse than a wound.”
The label. The system. The judgment. It had missed the point entirely.
Feeling deeply insulted, Veyrat took legal action against the Michelin Guide, demanding transparency in their evaluation process. The court dismissed his case. Disheartened but resolute, he took a stand. At his new restaurant in Megève, he placed a sign at the entrance: “Michelin Guide banned.”
He’s not alone. Many chefs across Europe and beyond have made similar moves.
But ultimately, this story isn’t just about a chef and a guide—it’s about reclaiming the freedom to define success on your own terms and prioritizing what truly matters to you.
Featured Insight:
This story highlights the importance of creating your own definition of success. It reflects a growing shift: from external validation to internal alignment. From prestige to purpose. From appearance to meaning.
I see it often—people stuck in or chasing a life that only looks successful from the outside.
The truth is: dreams don’t always age well. What once felt like “making it” in your twenties might no longer apply. Even what you considered success six months ago might not fit anymore.
That’s why I do something regularly. Every 3–4 months, I make it a point to sit down with a pen and notebook (one I keep specifically for this exercise) and do a life check-in. Not just a to-do list or a goal review, but an honest, reflective look at where I am, what I want, and most importantly, what I no longer want.
It’s like a personal audit:
Did I achieve what I set out to?
Do those things still matter to me?
Have my priorities shifted?
Because success isn’t just about hitting the mark.
It’s about making sure the mark still feels aligned.
If you don’t define what a successful life looks like for you, chances are, you’ll end up living by someone else’s definition. And that’s when you risk building what I call a golden cage. A life that looks impressive from the outside... but feels empty on the inside.
Creative Corner:
Continuing with the theme of food, here is a small curation I think you’ll enjoy. Each recommendation below celebrates ingredients, origin, and the craft of turning ingredients into art.
🍴 To Watch: Omnivore (Apple TV)
A cinematic exploration of ingredients, rituals, and place. Each episode reveals how deeply food is woven into culture. Raw, moving, and stunning to watch.
📍 To Visit: Sapiens, Lima
We recently returned from a trip to Peru, and in Lima—one of the world’s culinary capitals—I had my favorite dining experience of the trip. Sapiens by Chef Jaime Pesaque impressed us so much, we went back twice. His open-fire concept brings elemental cooking to the forefront: dishes stripped back to their essence, yet beautifully refined. I love places that return to nature—cooking with fire, smoke, earth, water, and air—letting ingredients speak through minimal intervention and timeless techniques.
📸 To Follow: @gourmeffe on Instagram
Think of it as a visual moodboard for food lovers—sensory and full of inspiration.
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Stay Connected: Follow me on Instagram: @giane.rp and @carpe.lux
This resonates so well with me. For as long as I can remember, my “goals” have shifted. I guess, the older one gets, the more the definition of success turns from extrorevtism to introversion and leans of values rather than ego.