Pride is an alluring enigma, an intoxicating challenge to our peace of mind, and a dangerous mistress that can pull us away from good old common sense. At the same time, pride is the fuel of success, the underlying standard of performance that signals the effort required for any task. Is pride a good thing…
Author: culinarycuesblog
HEY CHEF – WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
It’s hard to believe that time can be such a tease; when looking back is far more consuming than looking forward. Where did the time go? It wasn’t too long ago that the future seemed endless – an exciting enigma without any real long-term plan. There would be adventures, forks in the road, lots of…
CHEFS – IT’S NEVER GOING TO BE THE SAME AS IT WAS
I was depressed watching the news about the new political climate where the fringe on both sides is slowly chipping away at tradition and accepted norms when it finally dawned on me – this applies to everything – this applies to kitchens and the profession that I have been part of for the past fifty…
WALK A MILE IN A RESTAURANT WORKER’S SHOES – PART TWO
North vs. South, Hatfield’s vs. McCoy’s, Yankee’s vs. Red Sox’s, and Patriot’s vs. every other NFL team – these are all classic rivalry’s, but nothing compares to the inherent friction that exists in restaurants between the front and back of the house. Sometimes it gets downright ugly – right? It is likely that the source…
WALK A MILE IN A RESTAURANT WORKER’S SHOES – PART ONE
Sure – every person’s job can be challenging at times and the good, the bad, and the ugly is a fair way to describe nearly every career choice, but looking in from the outside rarely gives and outsider a realistic view of another person’s challenges. As a whole – restaurant work is difficult. At times…
CHEF OWNERSHIP – SCENARIO #2
This is the second of three chef/ownership scenarios drawn from the initial article on that “OWNERSHIP THING”. Sabrina’s Scones and Crust: Sabrina has worked in various pastry shops throughout the Pacific Northwest and has built a strong reputation for her creativity and exemplary work ethic. Wherever she works, business improves due to the magic touch…
INVENTION, RE-INVENTION, A FRESH LOOK
There are few examples of businesses that can continue to thrive without change. Not too long ago, the need for change was gradual – giving owners/operators a chance to assess, research, test through trial and error, and slowly take baby steps towards anything that resembled significant change. Today, change happens quickly, and those operators who…
CHEF OWNERSHIP – SCENARIO #1
This is the first of three chef/ownership scenarios drawn from last weeks initial article on that “OWNERSHIP THING”. Jeremy’s Southern Cuisine: Jeremy has paid his dues. He started as a dishwasher, worked his way through prep, breakfast cook, line cook and sous chef, and for the past two years has thrived as the chef at…
CHEFS CHASING THE OWNERSHIP THING
I don’t believe that I know a single professional chef who doesn’t have a deep seeded desire to own a restaurant. Some are more obvious about the desire then others, some hide it pretty well, but underneath the façade of contentment with their current situation – every chef craves the chance to put their name…
LINE COOKS WHO TAKE THE LEAP
At some point, fairly early on, restaurant cooks make a decision to either view what they do as a transitional job while they look for something that they really want to do, or decide that cooking is their life calling and they intend to become exceptional at the craft. This is true for nearly any…
