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I'm reminded of what Aubergine (624-8578) pastry chef/seer Ron Mendoza and I talked about on the way to a Dinosaur Jr. concert: If you want to create greatness, inspiration helps.

And it can come from anywhere.

For Mendoza, it can come from perusing menus of industry standouts like French Laundry. That night, it came from J. Mascis' insane riffs that made ear drums—and at least 1,000 brains—pop at the Fillmore. I know it reverberating in his avocado gelato.

Tonight, for me at least, it hails from a silver-haired kitchen dance phenom who calls the Peninsula home.

Carol Kuzdenyi is a local piano and voice tutor-mentor and Master of Music at S.F. Conservatory (373-3306 for lessons).

The other day she broke off an Usher-inspired number for her niece. The video went viral in a major way.

I called her two hours ago to see how it all transpired but she had to skeedattle because her video was appearing on national TV on the Ellen Show right then. Before long she'll be jetting there for a follow-up in studio.

Cue the inspiration.

Sink your teeth into that—and seek inspiration everywhere.