The life advice edition with Sally Abé

"Trust your instincts, they are there for a reason."

Aug 16, 2024

Hi there,

I’m sticking to Life Advice editions of The Uplift at the moment as I navigate the disappointment of buying a flat falling through and illness leading me to cancel going to two festivals! I had a full day of rest on Wednesday and am taking things step by step. Once I am back to full health, the good news editions of The Uplift will continue.

This week, I’m excited to bring you advice from the excellent Sally Abé, who starred in BBC 1’s The Great British Menu. She’s now written a memoir called A Woman's Place is in the Kitchen, which reveals the reality of working in restaurant kitchens - and how they need to change for the better.

What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?

I got told when I was a teenager to always trust your instincts, they are there for a reason. If something feels off from the get go, it generally is.

If you could go back and give yourself some advice to yourself at a certain point in your life, when would you go back to and what would you tell yourself?

I'd go back to when I first became a head chef and I was running on fumes. I would tell myself to prioritise time to switch off. Down time is never given enough credit but is incredibly important.

What's your best life advice for other people?

You are only the centre of your own universe. Everyone else is the centre of theirs, so try not to dwell on things and interactions with others, they have probably already forgotten the thing you said or did that you lie awake at night thinking about.

What inspired your latest book and what would you say to anyone thinking of reading it?

I was inspired to tell my story in order to let others know they are not alone in what they are going through, but also as a manifesto for change. You don't have to be a foodie or know anything about kitchen life to read it!