I don't know what to do. I am a chef. Being a chef has been a passion of mine for so long. A kitchen was my first job. I was a salad and dessert chef at 17 for an Italian restaurant. When I left the industry for a few years to work for Amazon, Maplehurst, and Subaru I had dreams of the kitchen. So I got back into it. I love to create and tempt all 5 senses with what I cook. And I think I am good at it.
Mike, a friend and on and off boss for years, called me to be a part of Burger Study, a restaurant concept in line with its sister restaurant of the world famous St. Elmo's. I jumped in with both feet Eager to be a part of a restaurant that has been in business for over 100 years. But the illusion has been shattered.
I am serious about what I do. I am safe serve certified but my own money. I own my own knives. I am certified in commercial anitation from Maplehurst. But as I point out issues with the kitchen, today Mike told me that I need to " put a smile on my face and manage through them". And if I don't then " I had better consider an exit strategy ". I pointed out that people are on their phones while on the line ( board of health violation), that people don' use gloves with food ready food ( as in handling raw burger then setting up the burgers with the veggie sets, another health code violation), pans don' get flipped, procedures get short cut, equipment not cleaned properly... and I am told I need to think of an exit strategy.
The lack of viable manageent and leadership has me to the point tgat I no longer want to do what I love. What I dream about. What I am good at. It breaks my heart and I just want to quit and give up. I have no exit strategy. I have no desire to do another line of work. I don't know what to do
If there are other chefs out there who experience This, what would your advise be? @chef , @tulipe as you two are the only chefs I have spoken to.
