“Life Lessons…one Disney Movie Line at a time.â€
I was recently watching another one of my favorite Disney movies, Ratatouille, and although I have watched it several times – SEVERAL – it meant even more to me this time. I had taken the statement that Anyone Can Cook! to heart in 2009 on a family vacation to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. I am not a “cookâ€, but decided to follow Chef Gusteau’s advice and prepared Ratatouille, the dish, for the first time for dinner one evening. To my surprise, and the rest of the family’s surprise as well, it was not only pretty, but also delicious. I was so proud of myself and even more excited that it was true – indeed, Anyone Can Cook!
Ratatouille made with love by Dannée
So, watching Ratatouille this time was completely different for me. While I have had some recent life altering events, I did not expect to find so much meaning in the movie. I was inspired by a dear friend to learn to knit, but not only did I want to learn, I wanted my good friends to learn as well. For a Ladies Night Out event, we took a knitting class at a local Yarn Shop. The class was a first for many of us, but served as a refresher for a few. My dear friend assisted our class instructor with the lesson and we did not seem like complete lost causes! This friend encouraged us and while I watched Ratatouille, I reflected on her support and patience. It was almost like a light bulb was lit… Anyone Can Cook! because anyone can do anything that they set their mind to do and put their heart into.
I knit now, not because I am a Great Knitter or that I may even become one, but simply because I enjoy it and it makes me happy. My dear friend is a Great Knitter and our group’s exposure to knitting may create more Great Knitters. Do you get it? That is exactly what Chef Gusteau meant. His book Anyone Can Cook! was the exposure that was needed for Remy to become the Great Chef he truly was. More importantly, without that exposure, he may have never known his talent and become Great.
“…Chef Gusteau’s famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.†– Anton Ego (Ratatouille)
Written by fellow Disney Mom & dear friend: Dannée N. Dannée is a proud member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. She is not a Disney employee. The postings on this site are her own and do not necessarily represent Disney’s positions or opinions.
