Is it time to quit?

What do you do when you are an Executive Chef and: your sous chefs want to go over your head to the F&B director because th g.m. is making outrageous demands which affect culinary standards, the g.m. is planning culinary events with one of the rest mngrs without inviting you or the other rest mngr to the meetings, who by the way is constantly crying on your shoulder, your labor costs are going through the roof, and your F&B director wants to give you a raise for all the hours and effort that you have been putting in. These are the same hours that you should have spent with your wife and kids which are days away from packing up and leaving if you don't spend more time with them.

By W.DeBord on Friday, November 03, 2000 - 08:33 am: Edit

Not tellin' you have to take care of yourself and your family life first. With-out them there isn't much point to making money. If things get straightened out at work will you have the time to have a personal life or does this job demand more than any human can give?

I have gone over my chefs head...only when he refused to do what was right. Are you being neglectful? If not, perhaps he's looking for your job and in that case I'd loose him or bring him down to reality. He's suppose to support your job, I'd clarify his position to him.

I have not seen management discuss event planning with chefs. Sometimes they ask for imput with the menu, but usually not. The guy might think it's his role and not want to add to your work load?

Try to focus more on what you can control. Let the other stuff go (at least for now) and after you have your sous working for you again, then talk with the gm and learn what his goals are concerning your job role.

By Panini (Panini) on Friday, November 03, 2000 - 01:47 pm: Edit

If they are compensating you for your work and not your experience and input, than look for someone who will.
just my 2 cents

By Chady2k (Chady2k) on Friday, November 03, 2000 - 05:08 pm: Edit

Be upfront with them, perhaps lines are getting crossed. I know that I get pretty hot headed and tend to say and do things that I need to apoligize for later if I don't let things cool off first. When things are cool then have a pow wow and explain your frustrations. Remember TEAMWORK????

Everyone tends to have different goals, and sometimes our own personal life goals interfear with with the TEAMS gaols.....
The positive thing that I can see is that you care enough to seek advice of others. With that you will make the right choice.

Good luck,
Chad

By Panini (Panini) on Saturday, November 04, 2000 - 05:36 am: Edit

The one word I've feared the most in my few years of this industry is TEAM!!!!! Plug in the word FAMILY whenever you usew the word. You will see the difference. One team always has to loose. You sit your worst players, etc.
Even if you yell at your family members they know you still love them. When the captain of tje team starts yelling everyone hates or disrespects him or her.
just my philosophy.

By Peachcreek (Peachcreek) on Thursday, November 09, 2000 - 04:54 pm: Edit

I had to give what I call the "Inspirational Talk" to the guys yesterday. The lunch rush really sucked. The baker was 2 hours late. Prep guy was feeling overwhelmed, and line dude was clueless. And a few stupid mistakes were made. Yesterday sucked, and the deal is that the entire thing was avoidable. So out comes the talk. This is what I tell them.
"I think of us as being in a band. And we have to understand both our piece, and how to play together. Me? Well, somebody has to conduct. " I like the band analogy because it is non-competitive, but bonding. I don't see restaurant work as family, because employment is a voluntary relationship. We are free to leave at any time.
I also tell them. "We owe it to each other to know our parts. We are professionals. We are all grown adults here. You are here because I need you. There is no way around it. And while we are here we make the commitment to each other that we will do our best. We will be MINDFUL. And when we are here, we will leave our cr-p behind, because we need to be focused, and respect that in each other. I take this seriously because I,m the only one here who can,t just walk out that door. This is my place, and the people who work here are the people I choose to share this part of my life with." I had them in tears. By the way, today ROCKED.

By not tellin' on Saturday, November 11, 2000 - 12:34 am: Edit

Thanks Peachcreek I will try that tommorow. Things are already looking a little better because of the raise. I entered this profession because I thought it would be the least likely to turn me into a whore, but it all has finally come down to the almighty $$$