A Look Behind the Kitchen Doors

Back in the day when I was running restaurants and professional kitchens, I always used to tell my staff, that NO MATTER what is going on in their personal life, when they are out in the front of the house with customers, they had better be wearing a smile. But I also told them once they were behind closed doors, the could kick, scream, cuss and do whatever was needed to vent and to blow off steam, AS LONG AS NO CUSTOMERS EVER heard or saw anything and no one got hurt. People pay good money for a break from reality, and when they go out to be wined and dined, they are expecting to be treated like celebrities and royalty. It was always our job to do the best we could do with what we had. If something is in house, it is there for the customers if they should ask for it. But now, in the back of the house, well ….. That is a completely different story. If you have never worked in a restaurant, you would be very shocked by what really goes on and what is really said. Working in a professional kitchen IS NOT a place for the faint or weak-hearted, and if you don’t like the use of profanity, you had better wear ear plugs. In the back of the house, there is one favorite word that is universal. I won’t say it here, but it won’t take to much to figure it out. It starts with an “F”.

Here are a few looks behind the scenes that most people don’t see or really know about unless they have lived this life. Each and every one of these sayings is so true. The restaurant life is definitely NOT for everyone. Only the tough survive. I guess that means I am very tough indeed, since I survived the restaurant life for almost 40 years. ( I started when I was very young).

So now you know. It is a tough life. You either have it or you don’t and you either love it or your don’t.

Stay cool, stay safe, and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.