A basic glass carafe from IKEA costs 1.50 €. A liter of water to fill it costs one third of a cent. But if you drop a fresh stalk of mint in there, the whole thing looks like ten bucks.
The mint costs less than the carafe, but its accentuating power can enhance the value of the set by 500%, both in terms of perception and flavor.
Sprinkling pepper on a finished dish, adding a frame and logo to all slides, signing off with a kind phrase — these actions don’t take much effort, but if we perform them consistently, they’ll add up to a reputation.
No matter what you are doing, ask yourself: “Where’s the mint?” Find it before you ship, and never let a dish leave the kitchen without a tiny dash of magic.