Latest Posts
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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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… Continue reading
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COOKS AND CHEFS – BELIEFS AND INITIATIVES THAT SHOULD UNITE US
Originally posted on Harvest America CUES BLOG: Lately, I have read quite a few posts from angry cooks and chefs as they lament the job requirements, poor wages, lack of life balance, questionable work ethic of young cooks, and demands… Continue reading
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COOKS AND CHEFS – BELIEFS AND INITIATIVES THAT SHOULD UNITE US
Lately, I have read quite a few posts from angry cooks and chefs as they lament the job requirements, poor wages, lack of life balance, questionable work ethic of young cooks, and demands placed on them by inconsiderate bosses. Like… Continue reading
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THE CHEF TITLE EARNED – GETTING IT STRAIGHT
You cannot call yourself a nurse simply because you are generous enough to care for people, nor can you be rightfully called a doctor simply because you work in a healthcare facility. A master plumber is not a self-appointed title,… Continue reading
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MASLOW’S HIERARCHY STILL APPLIES TO RESTAURANT WORKERS
I continue to hear the arguments: “Young cooks don’t want to work hard, they aren’t dependable, they lack passion, and they simply don’t have what it takes.” I have been there myself – touting many of the same woes about… Continue reading
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BECOMING A GREAT LINE COOK
Whether you are a product of a formal culinary education or working your way up through the school of hard knocks, it is likely that all roads leading to the position of chef will move through the line cook position.… Continue reading
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A LINE COOK’S VIEW OF SUMMER MONTHS
It’s pushing 10 a.m. when an evening line cook finally rolls out of bed. The July sun is starting to really show its ability to bear down with penetrating heat and the humidity is bringing those first beads of sweat… Continue reading
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THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE TO A COOK
Originally posted on Harvest America CUES BLOG: Fire has so many meanings, but to a cook – it is essential. Cook’s exist because of fire; it is the one ingredient that they cannot work without, the critical ingredient that brings… Continue reading
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THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE TO A COOK
Fire has so many meanings, but to a cook – it is essential. Cook’s exist because of fire; it is the one ingredient that they cannot work without, the critical ingredient that brings everything together, the literal fuel of the… Continue reading
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HEY CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS – WE HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT OURSELVES
Maybe it’s just because I am in the twilight of a career that I am very thankful for, but aware of my own connection to the problems that restaurants face. Maybe it is because now, as a consultant, I see… Continue reading
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THE IMPORTANCE OF GRASSROOTS COOKING IN RESTAURANTS
Some refer to cooking as art, while others are committed to the process as science – I tend to view it as a cultural portal. Art plays a role because food can be beautiful and even reflective of what a… Continue reading
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COOKING FOR THE RUSH
I remember when I first encountered the jazz influenced improvisational music of Eric Clapton as a member of Cream. Many of my age were in awe of the speed and almost frenzy nature of this adrenaline infused music that started… Continue reading
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A COOK’S BALANCE – HARD WORK, PASSION, LIVE
I was listening to some older music the other day and reconnected with a then super group – Blind Faith. When you put Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood together – great music is bound to happen. One song… Continue reading
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IS COOKING LOSING ITS COOL IMAGE?
Maybe, the old adage: “what goes around, comes around” is true in the case of cooks and chefs. There was a time when individuals worked in kitchens for one of two reasons – they were either destined to do this… Continue reading
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INNOVATE AND CHANGE OR GET OUT OF THE WAY
Take a deep breath, sit down, grab a couple Ibuprofen, tighten your belt and pay attention. EVERYTHING IS CHANGING AND THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. If you think that you can simply continue to do business the way you have,… Continue reading
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THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN CHEFS
On this International Women’s Day I am enthusiastic about supporting this years theme of “Balance for Better”. Specifically, I want to point to the numerous accomplishments of women chefs who are making a difference in the restaurant business. It… Continue reading
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ANGER AND THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CHEF
Most chefs have been there – that point of exasperation when something isn’t going as planned, when a staff member didn’t follow through, when that order came back for a re-fire, or when a vendor sent disappointing products to your… Continue reading
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TALENT, PASSION, DISCIPLINE, AND HARD WORK
If you could imagine a formula for success in any field it would certainly stem from these four factors: Talent, Passion, Discipline, and Hard Work. When all four are in place – incredible results are inevitable, but ironically talent becomes… Continue reading
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COOKING MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE SKILL
As members of an advanced society we stress over many things – to most the skills necessary to survive, thrive, and contribute to society rank above all else – some might even say that learning how to make a difference… Continue reading
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BECOMING A MASTER OF YOUR CRAFT
I just finished watching a YouTube video clip of Jeff Beck and Stanley Clarke performing their incredible music at a jazz festival. I watched the clip four times in a row until I knew that I had to get back… Continue reading
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THE CHEF – DECISIONS EVERY 30 SECONDS
Ah…the good old days when it was just about cooking. Remember those days when your stress, considerable as it may have been, was focused on your mise en place, keeping orders straight on your station, making sure that your knives… Continue reading
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IN THE KITCHEN – SKILLS ARE THE DRUG, CONFIDENCE IS THE HIGH
Many have pointed to the abuse of drugs and alcohol that seems far too commonplace among restaurant employees. It may be part of the culture, possibly a release from the accentuated stress that exists in kitchens, and it may simply… Continue reading
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