There is something so unique to places like Japan, Italy or France. The culture of incredible craftsmanship. The attention to detail. The prestige of being an artisan whether you are making food, wine or clothes or anything. But I think it’s more than that. It’s pride in their product. But their product is more than just what they make.
I got a glimpse in a recent episode of Tucci in Italy when he visited Rome and the surrounding area of Lazio. He meets a local restauranteur who tells him:
“I am a curator, a host. My job is not to show you how I am at cooking. The important thing is giving you the best experience. Which is not only food, it is not just the decor, it is not just food, nor just wine. It’s all of it together. That makes a real experience.”
This attitude is what makes the best restaurants, retailers and services the best. They put their heart and soul into their product. They think deeply and care about the entire experience. And this is something their customers can sense and feel.
Seems so simple yet something so rarely experienced by people. We can all learn from these places.