Letter to my younger self: Nathan Eades

This is the first part in a new series on The Staff Canteen called 'Letter to my younger self', where top chefs write to their teenage selves with some sage advice.

• When did Nathan Eades join Simpsons Restaurant?
• When will Nathan join The Wild Rabbit?
• See the latest recipes from Nathan Eades

Nathan Eades is the newly appointed head chef at The Wild Rabbit in the Cotswolds. Prior to this, Nathan was head chef at the one Michelin starred Simpsons Restaurant in Birmingham, working alongside Luke Tipping.

We asked Nathan what tips and wisdom he'd offer his younger self, knowing what he knows now...

Dear fifteen-year-old Nathan,

I hate to break it to you but I’ve got some bad news. You won’t pass your RAF interview, because of your eyesight. It’s time to rethink the career plan slightly, but there’s no rush. For now, keep doing things you enjoy like your sports and keeping active. You’re a real team player too and that’s a great thing.

Make sure you work hard in school – it might come easier to you than some of the other kids, especially in things like Maths and Science – but you’ve got the potential to do really well in your exams and that will set you up quite well.

I know that you were disappointed that you couldn’t take food at GCSE – that was unfair. But let me let you in on a little secret… One day, you’re going to be the head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant! And they’ll be asking you back to talk to the students about your success! Give a smug smile to that teacher (who’s still there fourteen years later, by the way). It’s a great story actually, you’ll fall in love with the restaurant trade and you’ll make your family really proud. Oh, and you’ll be working long hours – evenings and weekends – but you wouldn’t change it for the world.

Don’t worry about some of the tougher times you’ll go through – they’ll help to mould you into the person you are today. You won’t always be the centre of attention (only-child syndrome) but that’s okay. Keep that confidence thought - what some might think of as arrogance is a self-belief that will propel you to your own success. First and foremost, believe in yourself and your ability to make it.

Keep going mate – stick to your guns. Embrace the moment and make it the best that you possibly can.

Nathan Eades, aged 30

If you'd like to take part in this series, please email jenna@thestaffcanteen.com or send a DM to @canteenjenna on Twitter!