You wouldn’t think cooking could save someone’s life from the perils of addiction, but that’s exactly what happened for a Florida native named Jesse Schenker, who has trained with the infamous Gordon Ramsay, and claimed the title of Iron Chef in 2010. Before he ascended to food glory, Jesse struggled with an untreated substance use disorder which came to be from his introduction to marijuana in his early twenties. Soon after, Jesse began experimenting with harder addictive substances like heroin, opiate medications, and crack. His addiction eventually lead him to serve a six month term in jail, according to CNBC.
Jesse told CNBC in a candid account of his recovery that at 21 he was tired of running from the disease of addiction; tired of stealing to fuel his disease, and tired of lying to those who cared about him, but could not bring him back from the brink. He was ready to get help. It was during his stint in prison Jesse rekindled his love for cooking and creating works of art in the kitchen when he was assigned kitchen duty. He substituted his addiction to illicit substances to his verve for becoming a chef, and says he never looked back once.
Not only did Jesse redirect his life by plunging himself headlong into his career ambitions, which he set measurable goals to achievement along the way, his escape from the Sunshine State may have saved his life. Relapse is common among those who remain closely tethered to their old haunts of abuse. After completing his time in jail and probation Jesse got far away from Florida and started his cooking endeavors in the Big Apple.
By 2009 Jesse opened his dream restaurant and regards his troubled past as a spark of hope for those still struggling in the throes of addiction. CNBC quotes Jesse saying,
“My investors [of the restaurant] knew about my past. . . A lot of people don’t return from the depths that I visited. It’s a gift and a curse. But every day, I get to make a choice to stay sober. . . If anything, my investors were concerned about my workaholism.”
As a recovered addict of ten years to date, Jesse reminds those still haunted by the disease of drug and alcohol addiction that there is a choice one makes to demand a better life for themselves. Jesse discovered an employee of his was struggling with an undiagnosed alcohol use disorder because he was stealing alcohol for the restaurant- instead of firing him, Jesse reminded his employee that everyday is a choice, and that there’s help for everyone.
If there’s anything we can learn from the triumph of Jesse Schenker, who lived his life through the perils of addiction, yet still attained the title of Iron Chef, it’s that addiction does not define who we are, but is the precursor to achieving our highest potentials despite incredible odds.
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