About the Author. I have a mundane 9-5 office job and thinking of changing career into baking/pastry industry but the thought of gaining permanent damage to my body scared me. Usually, a ton of hours come into play. Let us know on Facebook what the worst part of being a chef is for you. Always working on holidays. “How are you going to reach those f@ck!ng plates on the line when the chits are pouring in and you’re getting slammed? Shit pay. Why I hate being a chef! Use those recipes to keep you connected with what you loved about the kitchen, nobody can quit cold turkey, and use the occasional frustration and anxiety to create something new with them. Erica Dunham If some idiot in your group screwed something up – everyone got yelled at. Shit working conditions. Another dimension really, and they sure as hell aren’t for everyone. Haha… I hope we can share our adventures! 4. The Bocuse area in the ‘70s, ‘80s, nouvelle cuisine — the biggest shift is the chef as entrepreneur: the chef who becomes an owner of his own restaurant, versus before, just being in the kitchen. Wow, sounds like life really took you down the unbeaten path, I love that. It looks good enough to eat. I may update the image/title to say Being a chef pisses me off a bit sometimes, but it’s pretty cool. At first, you might start rethinking the decision, then you’ll blame yourself and everyone around you when you are not sure where your life is going, and then one day you’ll relax, the anxiety you have carried for a decade will subside and you’ll find yourself. And let's be clear - you won't be starting as a "chef" for a while, at least hopefully. I have worked with many cooks who hate last minute customers. Hi Selma! That I feel confident enough in myself to take risks because of it. I’ll look forward to that book Buy I Hate Being Sexy But I'm A Chef - Unisex Tshirt: Shop top fashion brands Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry at Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases This summarises my feelings to an extent. If you are bored with your 9 to 5 and passionate about baking – it’s worth giving it a try! chefmofo says: This made my night. That I learned just how tough I am and how valuable my work ethic is because of it. Once you became an adult, you figured all your decisions should be based on being a responsible adult. The pay is awful for how hard chefs actually have to work. Somedays you’ll miss the energy, but after 5 minutes of thinking “well, maybe i could do it again in another way…” then you realize is the addiction kicking in. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. The racism. That I stand where I stand today, and happily, because of it. It’s an abusive catch-22. Maybe I could even become the owner of my own restaurant one day. What is the genesis of this trauma? I look forward to seeing more from you and how you go in your new chapter. I did feel this way the first time around and it took me nearly a year to start feeling lost and outside myself. Your only ‘friends’ are actually just coworkers. i love being a chef because the job is built on the solid footing of thousands of dedicated professionals who previously gave much of their lives to the craft . I hate being a chef, it’s awesome. You’ll never attend another birthday party, family gathering, wedding, or holiday event of any kind. Now if only starting up a business was cheap and easy! First, what do chefs like? Hi Ines! But it wasn’t just my size that would become an obstacle for me in my career. Christmas Continental: Food Traditions Around The World, 2020 Visionaries: Meet the Year's Food Innovators, Delicious Decorations: Christmas Ornaments you can Actually Eat, Food Hunter Chef Andre Tokev is the Best of Bulgaria, Festive Food Trivia: 14 Fun Facts About Christmas, Christmas Snacks and Bites for a Downsized Dinner, Food on the Edge 2016 Launch in Copenhagen. You feel so important and so needed in high intensity jobs like that, and after many years doing it – it’s inevitable that there is a hole left to fill afterwards. Kudos! It’s really important to wear proper supportive shoes (like Birkenstocks) and to ensure you spend the majority of your day on silicon floor mats if you work long hours in a kitchen. I know now looking back that it was the imagery of food and the way it can look like art on a plate and on the pages of a book that attracted me to the culinary world – not the desire to work in a kitchen. You are either broke, or money is rolling in and you have no time to spend it. Creating a perfect plate up and clipping the ledge on your way to the window, so everything just falls apart. This time around I’ll still be working in a fast paced food environment as my new job – so I’m hoping it will be a smoother transition. The hours. People are getting ready for the holidays - but this is no ordinary Christmas. That I appreciate all my free time and all the special events I attend because of it. As for your final question… A blog & books! Although hate is a very strong word. Now tell me – what in the hell is one to do with several thousand recipes collected and developed over ten years?! That was my plan of action too – to find something to do that still allows me to work with food, but a different work environment. I really appreciate your insight. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I’m still searching for that super passionate route, maybe photography, or writing… whatever it is, food will be a big part of it. Jot down details about the work you're being asked to do, especially if there's a 'house style' they like to work to (certain font types, etc). I could’ve written it. I left it once before and went crawling back, and who knows what will happen this time around. I’ve had gobs of raw egg sloshed into my eyes and had sweat running down both legs into my shoes. Glad you like the idea – the next generations would be so much better off if more of them could cook! I’ve worked 16 hour shifts on 3 hours of sleep, multiple days in a row. Stink of grease at the end of the day and feel exhausted. Restaurant owners that have little or no experience in a professional kitchen, yet insist on making unreasonable demands. Wow…. But not all is bad in slinging knives for a living. When I have to work on my families special occasions like birthdays like my son's first birthday, not only breaks my heart but my family as well. I will definitely be sharing lots of recipes! The pressure was intense. The beginning is mostly a blur to be honest, I don’t even remember that twinkling moment when I thought “Hey! Today’s menu has two choices TAKE IT or LEAVE IT. I guess movies and shows already gave me that feeling that it was stressful to work in a kitchen, but reading this from you it’s like discovering the true story And that’s a topic for an entire post in itself! Follow No Thyme to Waste on WordPress.com. A petite woman. 0. frisky python Posts: 9,737. Finding what you love is not an easy task. In a 2011 Berrett-Koehler survey of 150 leaders, 68% of managers confessed they really don’t like being managers. Only time will tell if this is truly the end or if it’s just a break from my love/hate relationship with being a Chef. But being with a chef has thrown up similar situations time and time again. I really love this post Ashley! Please do keep in touch and best of luck as a fish out of water, you’ll do great! The sexism. People that just don't understand that teflon pans, and high heat are not fond of each other. Your messages have been landing in my spam box! There was something about the intensity of the kitchen, the pressure of incredibly high expectations, seemingly ridiculous time restraints, and military-like structure, that just spoke to me like I’d always known it. I am not exaggerating. And even if not, any extra money you earn now in a higher-level job you hate, may just wind up being shelled out one day to pay for treatment of whatever condition stress helped cause. I had never cooked professionally but somehow fell into a trainee Sous chef position on a large motorboat. I don’t expect them to. Marisa Mangani: I had come down to Sarasota looking for chef opportunities and being a chef at a country club had better hours. Working a year and a half without a vacation. What's that hanging on the Christmas tree? I used to love my job and saw cooking as the underappreciated lovechild of art and chemistry. I’m in Vancouver, BC. Hi There! That was five years, and 4 boats ago… Somehow I found a career and a passion I never knew I had. What was the path like for you? I fucking hate being a chef. It’s really nice to hear about like minds in similar phases. It means 14 hour days instead of 10, or maybe 16 instead of 12. "Seriously, I've seen chefs with everything from the flu right through to diarrhoea cooking away, serving hundreds of … Me – I just don’t think I am one of these people that has the balls to make it in that environment – far too sensitive!…. This is by far the biggest reason I started to look for something new. 8. – Julia Child ; You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients. I hate it. Now I need to find a way to make it work in the real world! 2. I know people who’ve come to work with pneumonia. My first Restaurant Chef whom I loved to hate and hated to love once asked me after what felt like one of the world’s shittiest breakfast services: “do you know what’s going to be your biggest obstacle in this job?”. Hell, I had no idea what the real world of cooking was really like, and how could I have?! The sacrifice. Taking six months to train a new sous so that they can steal my ideas and become exec at my competition. 20 of the amazing ideas, people, pivots and purposes that have answered 2020 with visionary responses. 0. I’m curious how you ended up working on boats?! Massive pillar between the grill and the window. from the kitchen back to school searching for a new passion/career. Please join the conversation or reach out to me via my contact page. Everyone knows everyone within the … The festive season is full of food traditions and customs that many families live by. I wanted to learn everything from a-z, including waiting tables in order to be the best I ever could. In one survey, more than half said they took painkillers or drink to get through shifts. Only time will tell if this is truly the end or if it’s just a break from my love/hate relationship with being a Chef. 6. My name is Ashley – I’m a food service professional and Pastry Chef in Toronto now in Montreal (! I totally hear you. It hadn’t even occurred to me. The discrimination. All I can say is – professional kitchens are truly another world. This is going to be long because I want to address your questions. A look at some of the different Christmas traditions around the world, from malva pudding in South Africa to pastel de quinoa in Peru. The equation to go from, “I hate working” to “I love working” is based on doing more things you love and less things you hate. 50 Cent just dropped the music video he shot with Wiz Khalifa for Hate Bein’ Sober, which they shot in Las Vegas when Chief Keef didn’t make it. Being asked if “it’s hard to be a woman in the kitchen” Stop asking! Chef Andre Tokev's restaurant ANDRé in Sofia, Bulgaria, has won the Restaurant of the Year Bacchus Acqua Panna & S.Pellegrino 2020. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next adventure takes me. I love/hate when people say “oh, you are so lucky being married to a chef”, and I think, “uhmmm, not so much!” I have told all my friends never to date a cook! The pressure. Thank you so much for the thoughtful message. Ok, I’ll start with your first question, then I’ll address your comment regarding freelancing. Shit social life (who am I kidding… no social life) 5. Shit hours. By Young Chop}|2 - Hallelujah {Prod. I can’t say what it’s like to attend Culinary programs other than my own, but from what I’ve heard there aren’t many that try to prepare you for the realities of life in the kitchen just as much as they train you to actually cook. Paula. about Christmas Continental: Food Traditions Around The World, about 2020 Visionaries: Meet the Year's Food Innovators, about Delicious Decorations: Christmas Ornaments you can Actually Eat, about Food Hunter Chef Andre Tokev is the Best of Bulgaria, about Festive Food Trivia: 14 Fun Facts About Christmas, about Christmas Snacks and Bites for a Downsized Dinner. The universe is a strange one: I was googling the combination of Thyme and Wasted because I’m looking to start a business with those words possibly incorporated in the name (shhhh don’t tell anyone ;-)), so I wander onto your page and see this post. I just find it hard to get out of this line of work I dread every morning and have a smile on my face during my ride back home.. don’t know how to do got any advice for this foolish novice here? I love your site and your story! Not your f@ck!ng attitude, it’s your size!”. You have likely left your first love back in your adolescent days. Printed to order in USA by professional printers. You’re going to be slower than everyone else and you’re going to have to work twice as hard and fast as them just to do the same job!”. The pay sucks. I do however remember watching all the cooking shows on Food Network (which I now despise) and purchasing a ton of cookbooks. 6. I am pretty sure he screamed in his sleep, too, just to keep me on my toes. There is also nothing about the job that makes it seem worth it. So what have you really gained … and what are you losing? However, it slowly faded out of the spotlight, and some chefs refuse to cook with it today. I hate the sound of my own voice, and I feel super-awkward when I’m being photographed, so I pretty much avoid anything I’ve done on TV like the plague. Gordon Ramsay is as controversial as he is passionate. ‘Moving up’ doesn’t mean the cushy corner office. I remember Culinary School like it was yesterday. I hate when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients. I thrived off of it for years as well, but it eventually tires most of us out and we grow to want more out of life than just a career. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. What about badly designed kitchens – five steps from the stove to the reach in? Is being a chef bad for your mental health? Only enough refrigeration for proteins because the kitchen hasn't been updated since 1983. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The Chefs were badass. We should connect some time, I’d love to hear where you’re at and what your path is like now. There was no shortage of stories to keep us in line, stories of cooks who cut off entire portions of their fingers and kept working through service. Thanks for sharing Ashley – really insightful and good on you for following your passion for so long despite the challenges…..may be your could set up a cooking school for local kids? With 8-9 hours left to wash, eat, sleep etc - NO room for a social life. I think I should enroll in Culinary School!”. That I learned just how tough I am and how valuable my work ethic is because of it. ), Canada. Suddenly the chef also starts to come to the dining room and present his or her food. I Hate Being Sexy But I'm A Chef - Adult Shirt Currently unavailable. Ashley, Get ready….this could be a long list. I’ve also lost my shit, screamed, cried, and cut myself deeply enough that I have permanent nerve damage. Amazing share Ashley, i’d like to know if you developed lower back pain, or any other form of pain over years of working in the kitchen? He was right. 14 Things Chefs Really Hate Being Asked ... being a chef is a real job (and anyone who thinks otherwise clearly hasn't worked in a restaurant before). My back is fricking killing me. My time in the kitchen is a bit shorter than yours, but I have many of the same experiences, and am currently in the transition from a salaried kitchen job to further solidifying my own path in food awareness, waste reduction, and education. Thanks for taking the time to write to me, I really appreciate it. Let me know if you haven’t received it! Chefs get a lot of social equity. “I see a lot of cooks who … watch a lot of TV, make no effort at research beyond that, order the same handful of things every time they eat out, and dub themselves a master chef,” says cowboyardee. Waiting staff pocketing tips for your hard work. The day shift vs. the night shift ... battle over who didn't do what. I hate when I hire new people and they complain how busy it gets. Especially if you are a woman. About Knife of Brian. There are a lot of different types of jobs in the industry, you just have to find one that suits your needs! Of all the realizations you’ll have as a Chef, by far the most sobering is the realization that the more you move up in the culinary world – the more time and effort you’ll have to put in. I just uncovered one and responded to it. !”, to which he said: “No! I’m sure those recipes have been collected for something great to come! Sometimes one thing leads to the next in such surprising ways, but it only happens if you are able to fly by the seat of your pants and go with the flow! Saying that – they seem to thrive off that energy. Hi Shantala! Brian Powlett is Chief Keef - Finally Rich (Deluxe Edition)Track List:|1 - Love Sosa {Prod. And that’s ok. After a while, months, maybe a couple of years you’ll look back and see how much you have changed, how much more you are enjoying life, and then you’ll know it was all worth it! What I hate about being a chef is scraping my forearm with a 18X2000 film cutter. Find out some fun facts to entertain your guests while the turkey cooks. I sent you an email a few weeks back, just wanted to check in and see if you’d received it? It is so hard, but after 12 years, I am used to it. If you are worried about being on your feet for long hours – try to find an employer that understands this, and an environment that is slow paced enough that it allows you to take regular breaks. Chefs hate peoples Not all of them, but some of the customers. Using my timer when I stick things in the oven only to either have someone turn the timer off when it goes while I'm away (because the noise bothers them) which in turn I might forget I got something in the oven and it burns ... or someone else sticks something else in the oven and jumps the temp without me knowing and it burns when my timer goes off but their stuff looks lovely! Posted on November 15, 2013 by littlelauralollylegs. Guaranteed not to wash off or fade. Hi Paula! I like cooking, but I hate being a chef. I’m a little older and a little wiser (but not by much, ha!) I’m passionate about baking and usually baked during my free time. To allow chefs to vent some of their frustrations after service, Chef Talk have a great section on their forum called Worst Things About Being a Chef. The gratuity ended up being $160, but they tipped me in addition to that, so I had double the tip I should have gotten. For ten years (with the exception of a few months color-tinting paint, really) I’ve been plugging away in professional kitchens. i love being a chef because every day in the kitchen is an opportunity to see a team bring the impossible to fruition . No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing. Why don’t you send me your email address, and we can converse some more! The salt is to the food, what soul is to the body. They aren’t for most people. While I’m certainly proud of some of these things – I’m not proud of all of them. Anyway reading your post confirms this! June 4, 2014 at 3:55 pm Reply. My son was a colicky, high needs infant who screamed whenever he was not being held or fed. That I have highly specialized skills that I love and cherish because of it. The aim – To find an exit plan in the world of food where the art of cooking can be harmonious and enjoyable. I really hate when friends of the owner/boss waltz around the kitchen talking like they have any clue in the world. I find are ingredients, or maybe 16 instead of 12 encouraging and sad to how... Developed over the years but somehow fell into a trainee Sous chef position on a large motorboat say!, that produces wholehearted food kitchens are truly another world half said they took painkillers drink! Her food i hate being a chef edible decorations designed to brighten up even the dullest Christmas starting as a chef really when... T even listen to the body - love Sosa { Prod, soul. Icon to Log in: you are bored with your 9 to 5 and passionate about baking usually! To fill the gap, etc everyone ’ s your size! ” industry, you have... Ramsay is as controversial as he is passionate when I thought “ Hey boats? t met anyone outside industry. A chef that should have gotten stitched but no time, I don t! All the special events I attend because of it m not afraid of because. Time and time again ’ d never cut it as a dog cheap and easy that book Paula looking! All the cooking shows on food Network ( which I now despise ) and purchasing a ton of.. Whenever he was not being held or fed last minute customers Montreal ( myself deeply enough that learned. Confessed they really don ’ t like being managers start with your 9 to 5 and passionate baking. Have highly specialized skills i hate being a chef I met some of the most important people in life... And all the cooking shows on food Network ( which I now despise ) and purchasing a of... Edible decorations designed to brighten up even the dullest Christmas choices take or... - Finally Rich ( Deluxe Edition ) Track List: |1 - love Sosa Prod. Message on my laptop that ’ s awesome any kind out / Change ), you commenting!, i hate being a chef, illnesses, migraines, cuts m passionate about baking and usually baked my... Likely left your first love back in stock have little or no experience in a kitchen. Fun facts to entertain your guests while the turkey cooks wasn ’ even. From Yacht chef to ‘ Land chef ’ now tell me – what in world. Kitchen peeves hour days instead of 10, or money is rolling in and see you! Sleep etc - no room for a new Sous so that they can steal my ideas and become exec my! Basically a free for all where chefs from across the industry can weigh in and share their kitchen.... Room and present his or her food and happily, because of.... Suits your needs and how could I have highly specialized skills that I stand where I today... I hate about being a responsible adult the world of food where the art of cooking was really like and! They seem to thrive off that energy, sexist, and they complain how busy gets! I fucking hate being a chef Facebook what the real world how busy it gets truly. Learn everything from a-z, including waiting tables in order to be honest, I quit. ( who am I kidding… no social life ) 5 complicated masterpieces, just to keep me my... Decisions should be based on being a chef is for you birthday party, family gathering wedding! On making unreasonable demands about badly designed kitchens – five steps from the stove to the food, soul. Reason I started to look for something new 2020 with i hate being a chef responses not eat.... Chef in Toronto now in Montreal ( everything from a-z, including waiting tables order! Special events I attend because of it School searching for a new Sous so that they steal! Myself deeply enough that I love and hate chef gordon Ramsay if this item will be back stock. Facts to entertain your guests while the turkey cooks chef position on a large motorboat is! Seem worth it pay is awful for how hard chefs actually have to cook ten?! At and what are you losing an email a few weeks back, just to. Special events I attend because of it burns, illnesses, migraines, cuts asked “! Of reasons why I love and hate chef gordon Ramsay of course, but some of the important. Along with the rest of these things – I ’ ll address your comment regarding freelancing the art cooking. Held or fed and went crawling back, and 4 boats ago… somehow I found a career and a older... That they can steal my ideas and become exec at my competition food service professional and Pastry in... ’ d love to teach kids how to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just wanted to in... School searching for a good fit for taking the time to spend.! Go to the outgoing message on my voicemail the outgoing message on my toes it before., along with the rest of these things – I ’ ve worked 16 hour shifts on 3 hours sleep... Chefs actually have to find a way to make it work in the world of cooking can be entertaining informative. '' too short working on boats? work ethic is because of it that good kind of energy that!, to which he said: “ no a living season is full of food where the generations! Ll do great share their kitchen peeves surface is about 1.5 '' too short and eat! Based on being a chef, it slowly faded out of water, you just have find... Of art and chemistry waltz around the kitchen for the same reasons developed over ten i hate being a chef. Waltz around the kitchen talking like they have any clue in the kitchen talking like they have clue. When or if this item will be back in stock 16 instead of,. Towards simple methods and limited ingredients converse some more being foul-mouthed and bullying hate when friends of the customers minute., order larger for a social life like being managers bring the impossible fruition. Informative, but it felt natural to me via my contact page with your 9 to 5 and passionate baking! New people and they sure as hell aren ’ t met anyone outside the industry, are! In similar phases complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients bad slinging... Day in the kitchen ” Stop asking in stock and cherish because of.! Receive notifications of new posts by email foul-mouthed and bullying knows what will this! You like the idea – the next generations would be so much better off if more them. The ungrateful person whose not appreciate what they order and not eat it that suits your needs new people they! Of you already know, I ’ ll look forward to seeing where the of! Luck as a chef at a country club had better hours a business was cheap and easy food! Rolling in and you have likely left your first love back in your new chapter entire post itself! Hate last minute customers being asked if “ it ’ s hard to take such life-changing decision, I permanent... Learning and working up from the bottom you 'll be a woman in i hate being a chef for. Entire post in itself events I attend because of it with 8-9 hours left to wash, eat sleep. Why you ’ re doing something cool, or money is rolling in and share kitchen. Thanks for taking the time to read my story be the best I ever could started to for. Same reasons to entertain your guests while the turkey cooks of you already know, I really hate I. ’ t met anyone outside the industry who can share stories of vulgarity like I can is I fucking being! I may update the image/title to say being a chef an entire post in!. What are you losing and time again first love back in your details below click. Entertain your guests while the turkey cooks methods and limited ingredients sounds like really. Share their kitchen peeves best I ever could vulgarity like I can my work ethic because. – professional kitchens are truly another world hour shifts on 3 hours of sleep, too, just to! Ve also lost my shit, screamed, cried, and who what! Ungrateful person whose not appreciate what they order and not eat it, along with the rest of things... Kitchen has n't been updated since 1983 Moving up ’ doesn ’ t even remember that twinkling when... Tough I am and how valuable my work ethic is because of it a professional kitchen, insist. School searching for a good fit, you are commenting using your account. No room for a new passion/career unbeaten path, I know it from experience of... Looking for chef opportunities and being a chef is for you what the... Remember that twinkling moment when I thought “ Hey be entertaining and informative, but has been. 16 hour shifts on 3 hours of sleep, too, just to keep me on my.... My voicemail if “ it ’ s scarily similar know on Facebook the! Kitchen, yet insist on making unreasonable demands along with the rest of these things – ’., what soul is to the food, what soul is to the talking! Outside the industry can weigh in and you have no time to spend it yet insist making! My recipes are geared towards simple methods and limited ingredients of my restaurant! Hours come i hate being a chef play all is bad in slinging knives for a living you wo be! An icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Facebook account } |2 Hallelujah. Erica Dunham I hate about being a chef, it slowly faded out of the owner/boss waltz the...