The Hero’s Journey in London: Testdrive Your Dreamjob

The Hero’s Journey Guide To Finding and Creating the Life and Work You Love  

Yes, you can try your hand at the business of your dreams without risking your present job or business, your next mortgage payment, or your kid’s future. In Testdrive Your Dreamjob you will discover how meeting your storytelling rolemodels and their stories and spending anywhere from one hour to a few days talking about your own story about you and the creative profession you always wanted – can be the first step toward making that dream come true.

Revolutionary and practical, this hands – on The Hero’s Journey program designed by Peter de Kuster – the founder of the Hero’s Journey will help you mesh your working life with your deepest sense of self as you learn how to:

• Plan a “Testdrive in Your Dreamjob” in any creative career
• Build the skills and gather the knowledge you will need to embark on your new creative profession
• Overcome the fear of changing
• Turn a layoff or other involuntary change into the opportunity of a lifetime
• Design and create a dream business that doesn’t exist …yet
• Manage a smooth, safe transition from your present job or business to your dream business
• Minimize financial risk as you embark on your bold new life

Creative people have met rolemodels in their dream business or profession for centuries and many generations. Talking to or even working with somebody who does the creative work they would love to do or explore. For architects, artists, designers, writers, cooks, actors etcera it is quit normal. Mostly however something you do at the start of your creative career. You can do it any time in your career however. To sharpen the story you tell yourself about you, your work, your business, what you are capable of doing. In meeting a mentor, somebody who has a creative dream profession in your eyes and makes money with it.

Years ago I started advising people who started their new profession to testdrive your dream job. Speaking with a hero who has your dream profession. It can save you years and a lot of money having direct feedback and stories of someone who does what you feel you would love to do. Almost everybody who has had a testdrive your dream job has come out of it with a more clear story and more determination than ever to make their dream profession come true. They landed exciting projects, started an education or found other ways to further their dream profession After years of fantasizing their meeting with mentors has given them in hours or days the strength to come into action.

Partly this was due to a learning effect – the concrete knowledge they gained about the profession of their dreams. Partly it was the mentor who held their hand, gave their confidence a boost en offered them help. Partly it was the contacts they made, which made the next steps more simple.

But the most important of all, next to these practical matters, was something different. The testdrive your dream job awakened and gave energy to something deep inside of them, a part that once awakened, refused to be ignored. Know that when you consider a dream business it not only is about how you spend your hours at work. It is about the connection between your work and the deepest feeling about yourself.  It is about doing what you love, work that energizes you instead of exhausts you, work which has meaning for you.

Twelve reasons for a Hero’s Journey – Testdrive Your Dreamjob

1.  To make a testdrive before you commit yourself to a creative profession

2. To find a mentor

3.  To learn about the ins and outs of a creative profession

4.  To make contacts in a profession or market

5.  To raise your confidence level

6.  To explore a  passion

7.  To satisfy your curiosity about ‘ the road not taken’

8.  To test possible businesses when you don’t know yet what you want

9.  To make an unusual, exciting journey

10. To try out something new and challenge yourself in new ways

11. To create a new story about yourself, your present company, job, lifestyle and future

12. To reconnect with some passion(s) inside of you

DETAILS

Part One.  The Preparation.  You Can Do It –  One Step at a Time. Testdrive Your Dreamjob; how does it work; How to deal with fear? How to research your dream profession. Selecting a mentor.

Part Two.  Testdrive Your Dreamjob  How do you get the most out of your meeting with your rolemodels.

Part Three.  Evaluation of the meeting. What is your story about your dream profession now? Making your Action Plan. When Things Don’t Go According to the Plan.

Join us for a truly transformational vacation for the mind.

Practical Info

The price of this one day seminar with Peter de Kuster in London is Euro 995 excluding VAT per person. There are special prices when you come with three or more travellers.

You can reach Peter for questions about dates and the program by mailing him at peterdekuster@hotmail.nl

TIMETABLE

09.40    Tea & Coffee on arrival

10.00     Morning Session

13.00     Lunch Break

14.00     Afternoon Session

17.00     Drinks

Your Travel Guide

Story teller Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey en The Hero’s Journey and an accomplished speaker worldwide. His books and stories about the Hero’s Journey – making money doing what you love – have reached millions of creative professionals worldwide in the last decennium.

Read on for a detailed breakdown of The Hero’s Journey –Testdrive Your Dreamjob

What Can I Expect?

Here’s an outline of The Hero’s Journey – Testdrive Your Dreamjob

Journey Outline

• Introduction
• Just Do It 
• Fear
• The Search for Mentors
• Questions to Ask 
• Telling Your Story
• Finding the Right Mentor
• A Mentor Of Your Own
• Doing the Testdrive
• Questions for the Mentor
• Choose a Cheer Leader
• Should You Hire a Coach?
• Listening with Your Heart
• Evaluating the Testdrive
• Not Your Dreamjob After All?
• Your Hero’s Journey
• What About Obstacles?
• They Created Happily Ever After

The Hero’s Journey in London: Testdrive Your Dreamjob

A Culinary Leadership Walking Tour with Peter de Kuster, featuring the Stories of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay

This two-day journey through London uses the stories of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay—two of the UK’s most influential chefs and entrepreneurs—to illuminate each stage of the Hero’s Journey and the Testdrive Your Dreamjob process. At every stop, you’ll walk in their footsteps, reflect on your own ambitions, and discover how the city’s culinary and creative spirit can inspire your next career adventure.

Day One: Preparation – “You Can Do It, One Step at a Time”

09:40 – Arrival & Welcome

Location: The British Library
Story: The Library as a Gateway to Infinite Possibilities

Begin your journey at the British Library, a treasure trove of stories and inspiration. Here, reflect on how both Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay began their culinary journeys not in the glare of TV lights, but in kitchens, books, and humble beginnings. Jamie, raised in Clavering, Essex, spent his childhood in his parents’ pub, learning the basics of food and hospitality. Gordon, growing up in Scotland, faced a turbulent home life and found solace and discipline in sport and, later, in the kitchen.

Reflective Questions:

• What is the “book” you want to write with your life and work?
• What humble beginnings or early influences shaped your dreams?

10:00 – Just Do It: The First Step

Location: King’s Cross Station
Story: Jamie’s Leap from The River Café to TV Stardom

Jamie’s big break came at London’s River Café, where his energy and talent caught the eye of TV producers. He took a leap, moving from relative obscurity to national fame as “The Naked Chef.” Gordon’s leap was different: after training under Marco Pierre White and Guy Savoy, he opened his first restaurant, betting everything on his skill.

Reflective Questions:

• What’s your “River Café” moment—the place or opportunity that could launch you?
• What leap are you hesitating to take?

10:30 – Facing Fear

Location: The Tower of London
Story: Gordon Ramsay’s Setbacks and Resilience

Gordon Ramsay’s journey was marked by setbacks—injuries ended his football career, and his early restaurants faced financial peril. The Tower, symbol of both downfall and new beginnings, mirrors the courage required to face fear and risk. Jamie, too, faced criticism for his school dinners campaign, but persisted in the face of public scrutiny.

Reflective Questions:

• What fears hold you back from pursuing your dream job?
• How can you reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth?

11:15 – The Search for Mentors

Location: Savile Row
Story: Learning from the Masters: Marco Pierre White and Gennaro Contaldo

Both chefs sought out mentors: Gordon trained under Marco Pierre White, learning intensity and precision; Jamie found a lifelong mentor in Gennaro Contaldo, who taught him about Italian cooking and the importance of passion. Savile Row, home to master tailors and apprentices, is the perfect metaphor for this stage.

Reflective Questions:

• Who are the “master chefs” in your field?
• What could you learn from a conversation or apprenticeship with them?

12:00 – Questions to Ask

Location: Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park
Story: Jamie’s Curiosity and Gordon’s Relentless Inquiry

Jamie is famous for asking “why”—why do we eat this way, why can’t school food be better? Gordon’s relentless questioning drives his kitchen and TV persona. At Speakers’ Corner, practice voicing your own questions about your dream job and life.

Reflective Questions:

• What three questions would you ask your dream job mentor?
• What do you most want to know about the reality of your chosen path?

13:00 – Lunch Break

Location: Covent Garden
Story: Reinvention and Performance: Jamie’s Fifteen and Gordon’s Maze

Covent Garden, with its history of reinvention, echoes Jamie’s creation of “Fifteen,” a restaurant training disadvantaged youth, and Gordon’s ever-evolving restaurant empire. Both chefs have had to adapt, perform, and innovate to stay relevant.

Reflective Questions:

• When have you successfully reinvented yourself?
• What skills or talents could you bring to a new profession?

14:00 – Telling Your Story

Location: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Story: Jamie and Gordon as Storytellers

Both chefs are master storytellers—Jamie with his approachable style, Gordon with his dramatic flair. At the Globe, reflect on how you narrate your own ambitions. What’s your “signature dish” in life and work?

Reflective Questions:

• How would you tell your story to inspire a mentor or employer?
• What is the “why” behind your dream?

15:00 – Finding the Right Mentor

Location: The Royal Society
Story: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Both Jamie and Gordon built on the knowledge of culinary greats. The Royal Society, where innovators have mentored each other for centuries, is a reminder that every hero needs guidance.

Reflective Questions:

• Who could be your “giant”—the mentor who lifts you up?
• How can you approach them with respect and curiosity?

16:00 – A Mentor of Your Own

Location: Daunt Books, Marylebone
Story: Learning from Books and Beyond

Both chefs are voracious learners—Jamie’s cookbooks and Gordon’s autobiography inspire millions. At Daunt Books, map out how to find and approach a mentor, and how to learn from the stories of others.

Reflective Questions:

• What’s your plan for finding a mentor?
• How will you prepare for your first conversation?

17:00 – Drinks & Reflection

Location: The Ritz
Story: Celebrating Milestones

Both chefs celebrate success—Michelin stars, TV shows, bestselling books—but also reflect on what’s next. At The Ritz, toast your courage and reflect on your journey so far.

Reflective Questions:

• What have you learned about yourself today?
• What’s your next small step?

Day Two: The Testdrive – “Meeting Your Mentor and Taking Action”

09:40 – Arrival & Warm-Up

Location: The National Gallery
Story: Creative Ambition: Artistry in the Kitchen

The National Gallery is filled with masterpieces; Jamie and Gordon treat food as art. Reflect on your own creative ambitions and the masterpiece you want to create in your career.

Reflective Questions:

• What masterpiece do you want to create in your career?
• What risks are you willing to take for it?

10:00 – Doing the Testdrive

Location: Borough Market
Story: From Market to Table: Jamie’s Roots and Gordon’s Sourcing

Jamie’s early days at Borough Market, learning from traders and producers, and Gordon’s insistence on the best ingredients, show the value of hands-on experience. Try your own “testdrive”—shadow a professional, volunteer, or launch a small project.

Reflective Questions:

• What small experiment could you try in your dream field?
• Who could you shadow or interview for a day?

11:00 – Questions for the Mentor

Location: The Old Bailey
Story: Learning from the Best: Gordon’s Apprenticeship

Gordon’s early years were spent watching, listening, and asking questions in the kitchens of London’s best. At the Old Bailey, practice preparing and asking the right questions to get the most from your mentor.

Reflective Questions:

• What do you need to know to decide if this is your dream job?
• How can you make the most of your mentor’s time and wisdom?

12:00 – Choose a Cheer Leader

Location: Abbey Road Studios
Story: Support Systems: Jamie’s Family, Gordon’s Team

Both chefs rely on strong support networks—Jamie’s family, Gordon’s brigade. At Abbey Road, think about who cheers you on and how you can build your own support team.

Reflective Questions:

• Who cheers you on when you take risks?
• How can you involve them in your dream job adventure?

13:00 – Lunch Break

Location: Soho
Story: Finding Your Tribe: Jamie’s Collaborators, Gordon’s Proteges

Soho, home to creative communities, mirrors the importance of finding your tribe. Both chefs have built teams that share their vision and energy.

Reflective Questions:

• Where can you find a community of like-minded dreamers?
• How can you contribute to their journeys as well as your own?

14:00 – Should You Hire a Coach?

Location: The Shard
Story: Vision and Guidance: Gordon’s Advisors, Jamie’s Producers

The Shard, a symbol of vision, reflects the need for guidance. Both chefs have worked with coaches, producers, and advisors to reach new heights.

Reflective Questions:

• Would a coach help you move forward faster?
• What kind of support do you need most right now?

15:00 – Listening with Your Heart

Location: St. Paul’s Cathedral
Story: Reflection and Growth

Both chefs have had to listen to their instincts—Jamie’s passion for food education, Gordon’s drive for excellence. St. Paul’s is a space for quiet reflection and listening to your inner voice.

Reflective Questions:

• What is your heart telling you about your dream job?
• Where do you feel most alive in your work?

16:00 – Evaluating the Testdrive

Location: The Royal Academy of Arts
Story: The Critic’s Eye: Learning from Feedback

Both Jamie and Gordon have faced critics—reviewers, viewers, customers. The Royal Academy is a reminder that honest feedback helps you grow.

Reflective Questions:

• What did you discover about your dream job?
• What surprised you? What challenged you?

16:30 – Not Your Dreamjob After All?

Location: The Serpentine, Hyde Park
Story: Changing Course: Jamie’s Shift to Campaigning, Gordon’s Business Evolution

Both chefs have pivoted—Jamie into food activism, Gordon into global entrepreneurship. The Serpentine is a place to reflect on change and new directions.

Reflective Questions:

• If this isn’t your dream job, what have you learned about yourself?
• What new directions are opening up for you?

17:00 – Your Hero’s Journey & Drinks

Location: The Ivy
Story: Celebrating Your Story

At The Ivy, London’s storytellers have gathered for generations. Here, you’ll craft your next chapter and celebrate your journey, just as Jamie and Gordon continue to reinvent themselves.

Reflective Questions:

• What’s the new story you want to tell about your life and work?
• What’s your next bold step?

This culinary trail through London, inspired by the real-life journeys of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, will help you explore your own ambitions, face your fears, seek mentors, and take practical steps toward your dream job—one story, and one delicious stop, at a time