Magic: noun. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural; an extraordinary power or influence, seemingly from a supernatural force; an increasing sense someone or something has some knowledge or even some sort of power that we have lost or perhaps have never known. And from an Internet article on magic (http://us.rediff.com/news/2004/aug/18inter1.htm): magician Peter Lamont says that “magic is not about getting something up your sleeve. It is, he says, about getting something up your sleeve without anybody noticing.” In other words, magic is not about the method of how it gets done, but rather, it is in the effect. And therein lies the key: the effect! It is almost as if the word magic should not have a definition. I am one of those people who doesn’t even want to see the “How the Movie Was Made” kind of movie. Likewise, I don’t care how something gets up the sleeve. It is not the result, it is the effect that is impressive.

So why all the gibberish about magic? Get to your point! The point is this: magic is everywhere, and it is an integral and necessary part of success. Long ago a friend told me that there is magic in relationships that is integral and necessary in order that a healthy relationship continues to grow, remains strong, and is successful indefinitely.  I also saw that a similar kind of magic works in other relationships as well. For instance, when a group of people who respect each other and have the same priorities and work ethics all work together toward a common goal, they can achieve magic. And once again, it is the resulting effect that is important. I have witnessed and been a part of it in business, education, personal relationships and in restaurants.

Before I lose you altogether, let me give you an example from an area with which I am very familiar. Many years ago in one of my very first jobs in a restaurant, I made note of how well everyone seemed to work together. I wasn’t sure about the how or the why of it; I wasn’t interested – at that point in time – in analyzing the phenomenon, I simply knew that it worked and it worked well. The restaurant ran very smoothly and was very successful… for a very long time. I eventually left for “bigger and better” things, but through correspondence with colleagues, I knew that the magic there continued. It continued at least until the original crew, including a very special pair of managers, began to go their separate ways. The magic suddenly left too, and that restaurant has never been the same. It was great to have been part of that magic, even for a short while; it was very sad to watch the restaurant become a shadow of its former self.

I have seen the same kind of magic in other jobs and other situations as well. But I have learned that this magic is not something that can be sought, learned, taught, bartered for, won or even stolen. It just seems to happen, and when it does… well, my only suggestion is to learn how to recognize it; seize it – carpe diem – and hold on tight! Because the real stuff is no magician’s trick. Concentration, effort, and dedication (at the very least) are required in order to retain the rights to it. And by the way, once it is gone… it does not return; at least that has been my experience.

As far as the restaurant industry is concerned - and that is really the point of my ravings - only a very few seem to have assembled the quality ingredients that initiate the magic. I don’t need to name them. If you read this and understand even a tiny amount of what I am describing, you will know what I mean and to whom I refer. For the rest of the restaurants out there who seem to believe that they have what it takes, I submit that you are missing one small but very important piece of the puzzle: magic. And you probably don’t have a clue as to what the stuff is. Even though it may not seem to make a difference; without at least a trace of the magic, the best food, servers, ambience and imagination will not produce the desired results.

There is a small group of which I am aware who seem to have found a niche of their own in the restaurant business, and from what I can tell, they seem to be in possession of the right stuff. They may not even know it… yet. But I think they soon may. And my wish is that they recognize what they have and that they run with it for as long as they can. For magic can last… it just takes hard work and the ability to care about doing things the right way. Remember that it is not just the "getting it done" that is important - it is in the effect.  Magic – that’s what it’s all about! 

As always... If you have questions or comments, contact me at: Reviews@RalphPancetta.com. 

Ralph Pancetta
reviews@ralphpancetta.com