Chef Trevis L. Gleason Releases His Memoir, 'Chef Interrupted'

Chef Trevis Gleason's multiple sclerosis diagnosis cost him many things — including his job, his marriage, and his perceived persona — but when he took a step back to survey the ruins of his former life, what he saw instead was the opportunity to fulfill a long-postponed dream; he would travel from Seattle, Washington, to the wilds of west Kerry, Ireland for the winter.

[pullquote:left]What he learned during his time there was that his life, the things that he loved (including cooking), and his dreams weren't lost. Instead, they were waiting to be rediscovered along the narrow, sheep-obstructed roads of the rugged Irish countryside. He soon found himself reveling in the beauty of the land, the authentic joy of the holidays, the conviviality of the local pubs, and the hearty flavor of simple foods.

"Multiple sclerosis doesn't steal away our futures," according to Gleason; "it steals what we thought and expected to await us in our futures." His newly released memoir, Chef Interrupted: Discovering Life's Second Course in Ireland with Multiple Sclerosis, proves it. This uplifting story (presented alongside a collection of recipes) is full of humor, hope, and inspiration; it is a true must-read.

Chef Trevis is currently in Seattle to promote the release of his memoir. He will be taking part in a number of events organized by the local chapter of the National MS Society, as well as marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. If you can't make it to Seattle, you can buy a copy of Chef Interrupted on Amazon.com, BN.com, or in select bookstores. Or, click here to watch chef Trevis make his traditional Irish soda bread.

Chef Trevis L. Gleason has been an award-winning culinarian, consultant, and instructor as well as a decorated member of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Goodwill Ambassador to Ukraine. Retired from a distinguished culinary career, Gleason has taken on the challenges of living with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis since his diagnosis in 2001. He is an ambassador for the National MS Society, an active volunteer for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland and the MS Society of the UK, and speaks to groups, both large and small, about living life fully with or without a chronic illness. Gleason divides his time between Seattle, Washington and County Kerry, Ireland with his wife, Caryn, and their two Irish soft-coated Wheaten terriers, Sadie and Maggie. For more information, visit his website.

In 2012, Dr. Oz of The Dr. Oz Show named Trevis #1 Social HealthMaker on the topic of multiple sclerosis for his Life with MS Blog, Twitter Feed, and other online presence. He was also named the Jimmie Heuga "MS Can Do Person of the Year."