The talented pastry chef reveals his secrets of happiness alongside 25 other personalities, in a book published at the end of October 2021, The sound of happiness published by Leduc*. On this occasion, Christophe Michalak answered questions from Top Santé.
“Life is a challenge to be met, a happiness to be deserved, an adventure to be attempted” (Mother Teresa)
Christopher Michalak. Totally agree ! The most important thing in life is not the goal in itself, it’s the path you take to reach your goal. When you create your business, you have to know how to question yourself, make mistakes, reposition yourself. This is what allows us to know what we really aspire to. My leitmotif in life? Succeeding in reconciling my family life, my priority, with my business, which is my second family.
“Happiness is sometimes hidden in the unexpected” (Victor Hugo)
CM The paths we take in the course of a lifetime are not linear. They sometimes make us doubt, suffer. We also sometimes take slaps. I took some memorable ones. At 23, I was a pastry chef in Japan. The experience did not go as planned. I then went to the United States for a year. A second failure. Coming back to France, I promised myself that I wouldn’t know a third. I arrived as pastry chef of a palace, for the first time in my life, at the Plaza Athénée, in Paris. I have matured, learned from my mistakes, reviewed my management. The story was very different, I managed to create real team cohesion.
“Happiness suppresses old age” (Franz Kafka)
CM I have no problem with the idea of getting old. I think you learn with age. Besides, I’m convinced that you should always listen to old sea dogs. They give good advice. I have a lot of respect for the people who came before me. I had the chance to meet fantastic professionals on my way. I am in awe of Michel Guérard, who has three Michelin stars. I drink his words. He is an elegant and kind person. I feel very small next to him.
“Eating is a real happiness” (Roch Carrier)
CM Food is the essential of my life. A mashed potato, a square of chocolate… no matter what you eat, there is no comparable sensation.
“Education does not bring happiness” (Eugene Labiche)
CM The most beautiful thing in life is to give love to someone, to help them gain self-confidence. But at some point, you also have to ask yourself the right questions and take charge.
“No, being loved does not bring happiness. But loving is happiness” (Hermann Hesse)
CM My mom gave me a lot of love, just the opposite of my dad. I made sure not to repeat his mistakes. But I’m not a resentful person. Teen, I was. I realized it was a waste of time. That’s why I forbid my son to sulk. I don’t live in the past, I rather look to the future.
The ingredients for happiness at Christmas, according to Christophe Michalak:
Christmas is a pivotal time when you are a pastry chef. But for the past few years, I have been trying to organize myself to spend time with my family for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I never think about the menu in advance. On D-Day, I open the cupboards and compose. I eat a lot in my job, so I make sure it’s “light”, even if there’s always a log next to the clementines…
*The sound of happiness26 personalities reveal their secrets of happiness, at Éditions Leduc is in bookstores. For any purchase of a copy of this book, 1 euro is donated to Cekedubonheurthe French association which aims to improve the daily lives of hospitalized children and adolescents.
Read also:
- Limiting beliefs: how to overcome them?
- Should you trust your instincts?
- How to learn to slow down to relieve stress
- Thierry Marx: “It’s up to everyone to find their talent”
