Mattdad is off to Ireland for Next Level Chef

Day 1 I am anxious.  This process started I believe back in April of 2025 With a post on a friends Matt Groark’s instagram story.  If you are interested in Next Level Chef Season 5 reach out for some details. So I did. Now 18 or 19 meetings, interviews, evaluations, background checks etc later here I am flying out to Ireland.

I left the family and it felt like I was going away forever.  It’s hard to see and feel temporary when you have never been away in your life…..that is away from your kids and my wife.  We do everything together.  Seeing them there watching me walk towards my destiny.  I have the utmost respect for folks that leave their family for months and years on end.  Not knowing if they are going to come home. Especially the military.  That is why I thank them for their service and sacrifice. We flew out of Norfolk va where all my kids were born.  Flew north to Philly where the enemy stays.  ;)

I met a neat fellow on the flight. He was a doctor I shared the book that I was reading.  Ikigami the Japanese philosophy of find that sweet spot between what you love to do, what makes the world a better place, you can make money on it and I can’t remember the fourth one. 

He was a baby doctor he was good friend with Dr. lemuh.  He is now a MaD seasoning fan.  I am working on my social skills as I fly out here.   

After a nice walk across the airport from terminal F to A I stopped for some pizza like at the shopping mall.  Sabarro and a Diet Coke. Then I couldn’t find my flight on the board anymore.  It was like it disappeared.  I had 2 hours and now I was down to 25 minutes. Finally with the help of Wayo from NLC and the American help desk…(waited in line for an hour) I found the gate. Luckily I was two gates away from A16 and my flight to the land of destiny. Ireland.

The flight was long but nice.  I get excited at the food they give us.  Water or pretzels or on this flight. Chicken with Red Sauce and mashed potatoes and some sort of spinach lentil like side. 

It was hot and good. The book I am reading reminded me of the 80% eating method. Only eat until you are that full.  Not totally full. Napped on and off. Watched the sky come alive as we approached Ireland.  It was beautiful.  I don’t believe I have ever seen a sunrise over the clouds before.  As I am writing this I am anxious with anticipation. 

I have been preparing for this

The Irish attendant said schedule like a queen. 

It is nice to have a window seat. Unless you have to use the bathroom.

We are on an Aer Lingus it’s an Irish plane company.  They all speak with that accent. 

Landed got my first passport stamp. As I was going towards the bathroom before I met up with my ride.  A fellow caught up to me. Said his name was Simon he had a next level badge on….bizarre he said he didn’t want to loose me. :)

Now I’m just waiting for the rest of the folks to arrive.  It’s a nice airport. Like I am in Norfolk.  Just different accents. 

We left for the hotel in a nice limo van.  Alyssa and I didn’t catch the fellows name from Austin…..(Justin we know each other now)Both are really nice. Simon was our chaperone. We talked some on the ride only things that didn’t have anything to do with NLC.

We arrived at the hotel it is gorgeous.

It’s strange how things happen. I have been working towards this for 30 years.  That is a long time.  It’s like it was custom made for me.  God knows what he is doing long before we do.