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GORAN - THE CHEF

NOVEL

INTRODUCTION

This is a fictional novel, based on a real boy named Goran , who wants to be a Chef when he grows up. Names of his parents and relatives, and all the others are fictional. Places in countries where Goran and his wife Ines travel are real, although situations and happenings were also fictional.

Story describes Goran, nicknamed “Gordon '', from his childhood, and what he had studied, achieving a PhD degree in the profession of healthy nutrition. He got married with a French girl from Montreal, where he studied. She was a teacher and worked in the local school. Her father Adrian had worked in hotel Chateau Laurier in Ottawa as a Chef, where he and Goran met first. Goran traveled with Ines through Serbia, Greece, Italy, and France, enjoying natural beauties, fashion stores and experiencing food specialties of those countries. He had opened his first restaurant, named GOR-INES in Montreal, second one in Ottawa, and third in Toronto. For New York City he had sold a license. That way started a chain of Goran’s restaurants, which made him rich. He had twins with Ines and they were a happy family.

AUTHOR

GORAN

“It was Saturday evening, April 30th, 2011 year, when my grandparents returned from China. They have told me later on, after I have already grown-up, that they had enjoyed it very much and had been impressed with the country’s development, how it was clean and how polite people were. They have traveled to many countries before, but China was the most impressive to them”.

“An hour after their arrival, I was born, about ten o’clock in the evening. My mom had expected me to be born on May the first, but for some reason I was in a hurry. Was that due to my grandparents' arrival or not? Nobody can tell it, but anyhow I haven’t full-felt my mom’s expectation to be First May’s baby, as she was herself too”.

“Next day, on May the first, all of my close relatives came to see me, even though I myself do not remember anybody from that time. My older sister, who was four years and a few months, at the time, came to give me a kiss, but mentioned to me a couple years later: -You haven’t returned me anything, not even a glance. Since I haven’t spoken anything, as a new born baby, she had complained how I haven’t been polite to her. My cousin Vanya, who was two years old only, said to my sister: -Might be he is def, as he doesn’t speak”. “Children’s conversation”, they know nothing about babies. “My dad slept overnight in the hallway chair and had to see me through the window of the incubator, where babies were kept in-between nursing”. “He told me once that every baby has his/her mother’s name on a string around the baby's hand. At the time my dad and aunt, with grandparents, were watching me sleeping in an incubator, all were silent and happy. While mama was resting, relatives were focused on me even though I didn’t remember anything they told me that later. “My sister Natasha and Vanya discussed their story, pretending that they were adults”.

“First thing, after being born, I learned to cry, like all babies do. But after I have been bathed and fed I stopped. Mama told me, when I grew up, that babies cry for three reasons, if they are wet, hungry and/or sleepy. As I was growing up I learned lots of things about myself. My mom had been taking good care about my sister and me, teaching us about most of the things in life. She is a fantastic mom and we both love her very much. When we were grown enough to understand many things, we realized that she deserves the saying “My mom is the best mom in the world”. She also started to teach us to read and write early, so I was reading well when I was four years old. At that time I already knew all the letters and numbers, and started to understand simple calculations. From the fourth year my parents enrolled me into the kindergarten, where we learned many other things. In the kindergarten there were many Arabs of my age, and they spoke among themselves the Arabic language only, which I didn’t understand, so at home, once, I asked my mom: - Mom, can you enroll me in Arabic school, I want to learn Arabic”. She laughed.

“My cousin Vanya, who is two years older than me, told us what he did in his kindergarten. -Our grandpa came to pick him up, while children were playing on the snow outside and three teachers were watching them. When grandpa approached, Vanya wanted to present him to his teachers, telling: -This is my grandpa, his name is Deda. “Deda” in Serbian language means the same, grandpa. They all laughed. It was funny. We, all children in our family, love our grandpa and grandma very much, as they are very nice to us. Among us children, the oldest is Daniel’s older brother Filip, whom grandpa often calls “Fill”, pretending to be his name spoken in English, even though in English it should be written Fillip, with double ll in between vowels”.

“Our grandpa had been in Peru, while working as an expert, and had visited the famous place “Machu Picchu”, where he even climbed to the top of the Huayna Picchu. He showed and told us about his experience, which was very interesting and exciting. So, whenever Vanya climbs on any rock he pretends that he is on the Machu Picchu. I like Vanta very much. We often go to each other to play and/or sleep over. Our grandpa had written a novel about Filip, in which he has been named as “Akan”, since he was shown as an Indian. Grandpa will give his novel to all of us when we grow up. Our grandpa had already written a novel about Vanya as well, which he keeps as a secret, so far. He also wants to write novels about each of us, just so that we remember him when we get older”.

“When I was a baby, my mama told me, I wasn’t able to speak for a long time, almost two years. She was concerned about my speech capability and started to take me to the speech therapist who had paid him a lot. While people were speaking to me I watched their mouths and understood them, although not quite. Even, I used to show them back by my hands and/or face grimace that I am OK. Mama started to take me to different doctors, and fortunately the specialist for urology had discovered some liquid inside my ears. After it had been eliminated, my world became entirely different, it opened and I was able to hear normally. Doctor had explained that I haven’t been able to hear properly, so Inwas not able to answer too. Soon after I started to speak, I exploded in conversation. Just after two years of age I started to learn letters, and by each letter I have associated people’s names. Mama had placed magnetic letters on the fridge door, and when my grandpa would come to us I used to point him the letter “D” meaning “Deda” (Grandpa). Letter “M” associated me with Mama, letter “B” to “Baka” (meaning Grandma in Serbian), letter “F” was for Filip, “T” for (Tata in Serbian Daddy), “N” for Natasha, “V” for Vanya, etc. Family members were happy to watch me showing those letters, as my own innovation”.

“They told me, also, how happy I used to look all the time, with a nice smile on my face. Everyone liked to chat to me, expecting to always hear something unexpectedly new. When I started to understand their satisfaction, I felt proud of myself, obeying as an adult. Even when I started to go to the kindergarten I felt much older and wiser among my mates. In each play I used to command them how to use the toys and treat me as a commander, which they obeyed. My teachers loved me, since I never beat anybody, neither used bad words. My parents have educated me well. I remember mama’s words telling me often: -Be a good boy, share toys with everyone equally, and always do what your teachers ask you, which I did”.

“My parents wanted both of us to speak Serbian, so they were mainly using Serbian at home. When I was three years of age I understood it very well, even when I was speaking Serbian. But, after starting to go to the kindergarten I have completely omitted it, like all children do. After that I answer everything in English only. Am I now, at fifth year of age, bilingual, it is hard to say? Besides English, I understand Serbian quite well. If I am forced I’d be able to say many words, although I do not speak it. My sister Natasha is much, much better than me. But, our cousin Filip is the best. He is seven years older than me, but when he was four or five years old he was three-lingual. He knows English, French and Serbian, and he uses all three languages simultaneously. Officially, he speaks French very well and Serbian uses at home with his parents. We, all kids, love computer games, and would be able to spend the whole day at the computer. But our parents always tell us how dangerous it could be for our eyes”.

“My mom wanted me and my sister Natasha to be involved very early in sports activities. She used to take us to karate, tennis, skiing, ice-skating, just to mention a few. We were sufficiently good, both, although my sister was a bit better than me, as she was older and listened to mama better. Natasha even had to attend violin lessons. She has expressed herself that she likes it, but from time to time mama had to force her to train at home. As the time passed she got better and better, and played it relatively well. I haven’t had an interest in music, as Natasha did”.

“Our dad had his company registered in the computer business, and worked most of the time at home. He was very good at programming, but he had spent all his time, day and night, at the computer, without helping mama anything at home. Very many times he would lie down into the hot bath-tub, outside in the backyard, while holding his laptop in hands. Mama has worked in different companies, also in computer business, but at home she was taking good care of us, cooking meals, taking us to the schools and picking us up, on her return from work. She regularly purchased everything that was necessary at home and food. When holidays were approaching, mama used to buy all sorts of things, decorate the Christmas tree, arrange our gifts, and take us to Santa, to take pictures with him. So, she kept those pictures of each year, framed-in”.

Our grandparents, Baka (Grandma) Andyelka and Deda (Grandpa) Boris were visiting us often. Baka cooks well, just like our mama, but Baka makes the best soup, which I liked the best. Mama makes the best cakes in the world, but Deda from time to time bought chocolate or ice-cream. When he enters our home, mama would ask me if I want to give Deda a hug. If I am at the computer, I would answer her: yes if he comes to me”!

“Deda used to make some repairs at our home, he had made our hot-tube, painted all the house inside, did garage walls, and some other things, while Bak takes care of mama’s flowers, whenever she comes”.

“Teta (Aunt) Lara, mama’s sister, and Teča (Uncle) Boban, parents of Filip and Vanya, are coming to us so often too, with boys and we play all together. They are our dearest relatives. People have a saying that the aunt is the dearest person to all children. Teta Lara always endears us, and we love her very much. Teta Lara works at Carleton University, but she is not a teacher. She is a money maker for the research. By doing that she often travels through Canada and the United States. Teča Boban helps my dad at his office, when necessary. They have bought an apartment in the same building where Baka and Deda live, and have adapted it nicely”.

Goran was full of different imaginations all the time, and was expressing himself under certain favorable occasions, which his mom even used to write. One of those was, on the occasion when we asked him what he is going to be when he grows up, he answered without thinking: -I will be the chef, world's best chef. We were surprised, and started to ask him about other professions, pointing out computer programming, space investigation, engineering, medicine, and similar, modern ones, but Goran was absolutely definite: -The Chef and nothing else. –I like it, and that’s it. He had defined his future profession already when he was about four years of age. After that Deda had accepted Goran’s decision and in most cases called him only “The Chef”. We used to call it “Goran’s pearls”, his ideas which were unusual for his age. Deda will comment, when Goran tells his unexpected “Pearl”: -“Goran is spraying his pearls”.

Goran was famous in his expressions, about different things under different occasions. So mama was pleased with that and from time to time she used to write it, just to be remembered later when he grows up.

***

Goran’s sister Natasha is four years older than him. She is a brilliant girl, nicely educated, excellent in school and very good with her parents, grandparents and friends. Natasha started very early to learn letters and read. When she was four years old she used to read books for adults, already. It’s satisfying for everyone to discuss and/or play with Natasha. Even as a small child she started different sport activities, and at eight year she expressed her wish to learn to play music, to be a violinist. Immediately, her mom Sandra enrolled her at the private school. In the beginning Natasha was complaining, since she didn’t know anything before, but by the time she became better and better, and finally she liked it very much. After only a few months she was playing so well that it was possible to recognize melodies she played.

Natasha is an exceptionally silenced girl, so her grandpa loved her very much, and always telling how she is a good child. Sometimes, from time to time, she tries to stop Goran doing things that he is not supposed to do. She considered him as younger, who doesn’t deserve to play with girls.

Mama Sandra used to force them to do necessary things, even though it looked that they were too young for most of those habits. But she had considered it better earlier than later and very early both of them were able to do everything for themselves. Looking to them both one can see that they will grow to be capable young people and able to exist under any occasion. It was a pleasure to watch them.

During their free time Goran and Natasha predominantly spent time with their cousins Filip and Vanya. Vanya was younger and closer to their age, so they preferred to be with him, and Vanya wanted to sleep over at their place too.

When asked what he wants to be, Vanya said that he likes flying and space research, so most probably he might try to become a cosmonaut. Filip and Natasha still didn’t know what their futures will be, and they didn’t mind much about it. Anyway all of them were good students, and whoever is good in school will be good in the profession, as well. Only absolutely defined was the youngest member of the family, Goran, nick-named “Gordon”, he will be the chef, and that’s it.

Goran’s grandpa once told him that he needs to learn very many things, about food, chemistry, nutrition, health, different nations' specified habits, and many other details. Goran listened carefully and shortly answered him –I’ll do it! –Deda you’ll see me, I’ll be famous. Deda was delighted with Goran’s understanding and firmly hugged Goran.

***

As Goran’s schooling was going on, from year to year he was better and better. He started to express his interests for additional subjects, regarding food chemistry and nutrition, which in some cases confused his teachers. Occasionally, teachers had to look through the scientific literature in order to give Goran’s full answers.

Even before entering his high school Goran knew what carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, lipids, mineral matters, as well as all components of the food, were important in human nutrition. He was confident that he needs to know chemistry and nutrition, in order to prepare the best and healthiest food components in each meal for everyone, and prove himself to become world recognized. That was the reason why he loved subjects such as inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry of macromolecules, physical chemistry, and specifically chemistry of food. Beside all those Goran was very good in mathematics, as well as in all technical subjects, too.

For his admission for the first-year Bachelor of Science Goran had to have the best degrees in English, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. He already had it. Students focused on the Food and Nutrition of the Bachelor degree had to be prepared in an interdisciplinary approach that combines courses in Foods, Health, Nutrition, Human Ecology, Science, Business and Social Sciences. Since he lived in Ottawa, the nation's capital, with his parents, and his mom Sandra who had already worked at the National Research Council of Canada, governmental institution there was no problem for Goran to select any of the well-known universities. So, for the start they had selected the University of Carleton, Food Sciences and Nutrition program, in Ottawa, whose professors have strong links with government laboratories in Health, Agriculture, Food, Canadian Food Inspection, and National Research Council of Canada. The program was a four-year study.

In the Nutrition students studied Food metabolism, growth and repair, how food components convert into simpler components, used by the human body, and how food can lead to greater overall health. Later courses applied the knowledge to specialized topics, such as nutrition and diseases, treatment or prevention, sports nutrition or nutrigenomics (how nutrients affect genes).

Almost from the beginning Goran became involved in the research of the Student Undergraduate Research Award, with particular interest for involvement into the research of nutrition and the developing infants, and how lipids affect their brain. In addition, he joined the research group for neuroscience in biochemistry. Since Goran was oriented for the studies up to the highest grade (PhD) degree, he had selected to attend courses of Food Safety and Health, and as a career opportunity also attended courses for Health Education and Sport Nutritionists. He also participated in experimental laboratory work of food, nutrition and dietetic courses. When he obtained Bachelor’s degree, as one of the best at the university, he had been awarded the Governor-General Award.

For his Masters degree Goran decided to study at the University of Toronto, Department of Nutrition Science, and for his Doctor's degree try to be accepted at Harvard University. As usual, students apply to a few universities, at the same time, and after acceptance they select the one they prefer. Based on that experience Goran had applied to Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton and McGill universities, expecting to select Harvard if they accepted him. Meanwhile, he went through the information, and found out that the University of Harvard is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Faculty for Food and Nutrition is located in Amherst. There are over 37,000 students a year, for all levels, while over 60 % are accepted. At that university they have programs for PhD in Public Health with concentration in Nutrition degree, at the Nutrition/School of Public Health Sciences.

While at the Masters Degree University of Toronto, Goran had studied other universities, just to have full knowledge of what each of those offers.

For Stanford University he found that their programs are at the School of Medicine, the nutrition studies are done at the research group of Prevention Research Center, focusing on nutrition intervention studies of diets.

Yale University concentrates on the topics of research in Food Nutrition Obesity, which was not of prime interest for Goran, since he planned to have his own restaurant of the first class and be a chef, not even university professor.

Princeton University in their program considers “Eating Well”, which covers the culture, religion, politics, environment, media, personal beliefs and preferences in the domain of health and nutrition. In their research main aspects were the real food with minimal ingredients, minimal processed, fresh or frozen, and in season as possible, choosing food grown locally or regionally, and if possible organic. Nutritionally rich food: fresh fruits, vegetables, skim and low-fat dairy, lean meat, poultry and fish, fiber rich grains (oat, buckwheat, legumes, nuts and others).

And finally, Goran investigated the University of McGill in Montreal, one of very well known Canadian universities. He had found that McGill has a School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Their primary mission is to improve human health, by training future leaders in the field of dietetics and nutrition sciences, in food safety and food security, as in the global, also internationally. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including PhD degrees. The PhD Program includes Human Nutrition in science or related areas, which corresponds to Goran the best. Careers include academic positions, senior government and industrial positions, etc. The PhD thesis allows for in-depth research in a broad range of areas.

After all, when Goran had finished Masters in Toronto, and worked a couple of years in restaurants in Toronto and Ottawa, he decided to enroll at the University of McGill in Montreal, as his plan was not to go for university positions, and that McGill University costs him much less than anyone in the United States. He even selected his PhD thesis which corresponds the best to the healthy restaurant nutrition.

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