Pre-Meal by Will Guidara

Happy Wednesday!

     One of the benefits of writing a book called Unreasonable Hospitality is that you pretty frequently find yourself on the receiving end of some wonderfully unreasonable hospitality. 

     When I travel to give talks, I often arrive at my hotel to find a gift waiting in the room. I never expect these, or take them for granted — I know, better than anyone, the thought and creativity that goes into putting a smile on someone’s face. 

     Last year, I was speaking to the Dallas Cowboys. I checked into my hotel late, around nine, and found the room empty — no note, even. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the slightest twinge of disappointment: maybe the Cowboys weren’t as excited to have me as I was to be there?

     But just a few minutes after I’d dropped my bag, I heard a knock. A Cowboys staff member was standing outside with a loaded tray from Whataburger: a piping hot cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke. 

     I’m on record saying there are very few things in this world that make me happier than a fast-food cheeseburger; someone on the team had done their homework. And instead of going big, they’d gone personal, delivering a gift that was comforting, exactly what I wanted in that moment, and unmistakably for me. 

     As I like to say, one size fits one. The best gifts aren’t the most extravagant; they’re the most thoughtful. (And the very best of them come with a side of fries.) 

Have a good service,

Will