Interview with Ashalew Abebe: Surviving War to Bring Ethiopian Cuisine to Montreal.

Listen to Season 1 Episode 13 of The Authentic You Podcast

"Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

This poem was written by William Ernest Henley, (23 August 1849 – 11 July 1903) a British poet, and writer from late Victorian England. Henley wrote many works but none have captured the imagination or stirred the soul as much as this 1875 poem called "Invictus".

Nelson Mandela delivered this poem to his fellow prisoners while he was incarcerated on Robben Island.

The poems stirring main message, created by the poet Henley himself who suffered from a disability, is one you may have heard before thanks to Hollywood,

But for me the main point of this poem is...

No matter what fate before us,

No matter the hardships and toll,

If there be fire inside you

You have an awoken soul,

The age in your years matter less,

But today they matter more,

Because while some lights grow dimmer,

There are those who must still explore.

In knowing your path

And making way

Despite the obstacles yet to unfold

you have become the master of your fate

You become the captain of your soul.

-Goran Yerkovich

WELCOME TO THE AUTHENTIC YOU PODCAST S1E13

A Mixed Potato Salad Production, with your host Goran Yerkovich.

This week I have the honor of interviewing the owner of an extraordinary Ethiopian restaurant in Montreal to learn how he became master of his own fate, taking the chance at the age of 55, walking away from his corporate job to follow his dream of owning and running his own Ethiopian restaurant.

This is an immigrant story and a human story, about the great journey called life, the obstacles we face, and how despite it all, we can each find a way to thrive.

This week we talk the mysterious origins of coffee.

We take a look inside the real Montreal and just how this great, resilient city has been impacted by the global pandemic, and what that might mean for your next visit.

Plus we look at the five best restaurants to visit in Montreal.

I’ll explain the five Russian woman on our fight home, and the lesson in life they provided.

The top 10 happiest and most satisfying jobs in the world.

And a few quick reminders to please share this podcast with just one friend this week to help this podcast grow and don’t forget to also subscribe to my new youtube channel which includes short best of clips from all the episodes thus far.

Let’s begin…

Season 1 Episode 13 of The Authentic You Podcast we cover all of this and more...

5 Best Restaurants in Montreal

1. Diese Onze, For the Juno award-winning live Jazz at super affordable prices and simply amazing pasta dishes you might not expect from a jazz bar.

2. Au Pied De Cochon – For the most succulent, rich, and delicious of Montreal cuisine.

3. Bouillon Bilk - For the cutting edge in new culinary tastes and yet still somehow affordable 3 course set menu meal.

4. Jardin Nelson – For the live open air jazz in one of Montreals most iconic downtown street level settings.

5. Queen Sheba – Which I cover with my interview with its owner in the Podcast.

Ok there are plenty of others I’ve missed on this list, like Nora Grey, and Liverpool House and if you really love institutions, Joe Beef, not to mention a true cornucopia of rooftop lounges that could be a show on it’s own and might be, to help us kick things off for next summer.

Season 1 Episode 13 of The Authentic You Podcast we cover all of this and more...