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Anyone who enjoys cooking has probably thought about what it might be like to run a high-end kitchen. And let's be honest – more than a few of us have pretended we were the latest Food Network Star. In actuality, however, the journey to becoming a chef demands immense amounts of time and effort. And the struggles aren't over once someone completes that journey either. In fact, they have only just begun. Being eternally short-staffed... Hearing printer noises in their sleep... Running a restaurant takes a toll. So to make things lighter for themselves (and to give us a better understanding of what they have to go through), chefs are creating memes that perfectly sum up their job. Continue scrolling and check out this selection that's been compiled for you by Bored Panda!
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#1
ignitoius simon 1 year ago
Ehoteljob has evolved into a Leading Global Hospitality Job site for hotels and recruiters, offering more than 25000+ Jobs in all Categories job postings with over 140+ brands across 150+ countries .
Kate Mac 5 years ago
Restaurants all over the seattle area for ten years. Funny that I’m being downvoted for working in places that respect chefs...
Load More Replies...We non-cooks tend to think only a select few can become chefs. Someone who is gifted with superior tasting buds. However, while some traits might help someone, they won't make them an expert. Stephanie Prida, a pastry chef in NYC, said that "To be in the food industry you really need to be obsessed with knowledge. With that, a huge part is exploring other cultures and the way they eat and the way they cook. In this industry, the best way to grow as a cook is experience, the more you experience and see and do, the better you will be."
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#2
Alexis draskinis 5 years ago
To be fair...when i waitresses (15+ years) our cooks were all full time, got PTO, & health insurance. I was stuck at part time & got none of the rest of it. Id say thats a pretty fair trade off...
Jessica Nametz 5 years ago
When I worked at Yard House we had to tip out 10% each the cooks, bartenders, food runners, and bussers. So 40% of my tips went to them...
Gabriel Sbárbaro 5 years ago
And that's why many places implement a shared tip system... when all the tips are put toghether and divided equally among all the members... Of course, this also has its cons, because a good waiter will have to share his earnings with a bad waiter who couldn't care less about good "customer service"...
Shortstuff 3 years ago
No tipping in NZ. It's a demeaning trend. Employers should be playing a decent wage.
Nagawa (Cofa) Kishiki 5 years ago
That is why you should think twice before sending a dish back.
However, it's not just about what you do. How you do it is equally important. Working at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Prida said the most important thing it takes to rise to this level is a good work ethic. "Putting in long hours and always pushing yourself to be better than yesterday. Being obsessed with knowledge and this industry are huge."
So I guess if there is someone who can deal with the nuisances we see in these chef memes, it's the chefs. Only a person that passionate about food can balance on a verge of a mental breakdown just so they could spend the day cooking. God bless you guys. Sincerely, the one who always tells the server to compliment the kitchen after having a good meal.
#3
Joe Reaves 5 years ago
Walk in freezer/fridge/pantry - not sure specifically which one that kitchen is referring to but freezer is most common.
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#4
The Lazy Panda 5 years ago
May the battle of the chefs, begin! Top left: Sir Arnold of Bucketshire, bottom left: Sir Roderick of Knifesburgh, top right: The Mysterious White Hood, and finally: Sir Peter of yonder Kitchens.
#5
Colin L 5 years ago
Nope... gloves don't make your hands clean, washing them does. Swap out those nasty towels every hour (or less, depending on the messes), and never trust Troy. We know what you do Troy... just because you're high doesn't make it funny.
Lisa 5 years ago
I once saw a cook drop food on a disgusting watery floor then put it back on the plate, a server called him out but my own orders were coming up so I had to go without seeing it play out. The floor was so f*****g gross and why was it so watery.
fuggnuggins 5 years ago
Every day, millions of times, all around the world.
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M Kate McCulloch 5 years ago
Oh it so depends on the kitchen - they lead.... I have worked in beautifully clean kitchens and in not-so clean kitchens (never stayed long in the not-so's).
fuggnuggins 5 years ago
Of course. Though, I've worked in enough to see that even most the clean one's will cut corners or pull some kind of shenanigans when the pressure is on, and also to know that the very good ones are rare enough to constitute unfavourable odds. On the other hand, I love eating at those places in SE Asia that are just a front area oustide of someone's home converted into a restaurant or small bar.
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Amy Zettek-Cosgrove 5 years ago
Most everyone are familiar with Covid; what it does, unimaginable deaths, and leaves people permanent damage, etc. However, MANAGEMENT seems to continue with bad decisions and unfortunately effecting employees lives. It’s like everyone changed to Mad Max. .
Marty BlackEagle-Carl 5 years ago
i dont worry about getting it from the food or the staff, just some stupid customer.
Curry on... 5 years ago
My son worked in a well known and popular restaurant when he was in college. The stories he told me have made it hard for me to eat in restaurants to this day.
fuggnuggins 5 years ago
Good choice. Not eating at restaurants in general is as recommendable as avoiding social media and girls with very animated faces or bright hair colouring.
Load More Replies... Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
Management just got promoted to manager because they managed to make it there ten years without getting fired or quitting. They don’t know what they’re doing, they have no skills, and they don’t give a s**t.
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Purbasha Banai 4 years ago
Um. Chefs ARE supposed to make more than the servers.
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Bacony Cakes 5 years ago (edited)
Part of a series of human instincts. Others include: Quadrupedal Stair Climbing, Rolling up the dangly things on your trousers, and the Cain reflex.
Dean Tieleman 4 years ago
Who turns burgers with tongs? Steaks and chops maybe, but not burgers.
#8
n i k o 5 years ago
I'm not 100% if this is really common but it's actually really hard for persons who've been incarcerated to find jobs so it's good that they can find professions in the serving industry! I also think cooking is offered in a lot of prisons, so that when they leave they have the opportunity to build another life for themselves, since jobs reduce the chance of falling back into crime :) (sorry for the lecture...lol)
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#9
Autumn 5 years ago
Oh my gosh all your little guys! How!? The fighting ones, the thumbs up ones, just how?
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A Cat Named Dragon 5 years ago
: ) why using gender-neutral “them” in reference to gender-specific “waitress”? (laughing at my own pedantry, but it sounds odd and just can’t help myself!)
Marilyn Holt 5 years ago
I think everyone should work as a restaurant server at least once in their life.
#10
Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 5 years ago
You don't even have to be a chef to relate! Who needs an expensive fan for filming when you have this!
earringnut 5 years ago
Not even that. The heat from the oven itself will do that.
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Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
This would make more sense if she was wearing glasses - that instantly fogged up!
InfectedVoice 5 years ago
And add steamed up glasses to that, just using the oven in my little kitchen.
#11
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago (edited)
When being in the flaming weeds stopped being fun, I new it was time to quit the industry.
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
When being in the flaming weeds stopped being fun, I knew it was time to quit the industry.
#12
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
We had a manager that would make us chocolate syrup sometimes on weekends. We could eat biscuits for free, and the chocolate syrup went perfect with them.
#13
bryguy 5 years ago
"Come here a minute, come here. LOOK! Touch it. IT'S RAWW!!! Might as well find it's head and toss it back in the field!!"
5 years ago (edited)
OH MY GOD sounds like Gordon Ramsay to me! (No Offence to anybody)
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#14
Helen Haley 5 years ago
All jobs are like this now. Changing jobs won't help. I'm currently doing 3 jobs.
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#15
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
I love this! One of the best celebrity immitations I can do. HEY!
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
I wish I could upvote this more than once. This is a very clever pun
#16
TheAlienOctopus 4 years ago (edited)
Snoot has been booped, I repeat that the snoot has been booped
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Kendra Miller 5 years ago
I like my job, I wish I was scheduled and in there, if I saw it was busy. I like being in the thick of it and helping people. it makes me feel like Super Woman :)
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
Anywhere, really. "Oh, I can be replaced? Good luck with that".
#17
Scarface's Mom 5 years ago
no one wants a yellow sharpie. it"s in disguise.
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Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
I worked with this one cook - whenever I needed a sharpie, I asked her. She put them in her hair. She's have 5 or 6 in there.
#18
Hugh Cookson 5 years ago
True !! Worked in a very good but remote hotel in Cornwall once before mobile phones came on the scene, got cut off by snow, no customers for 3 days, then we had a (booked) party of 6 vets turn up in their 4x4's for their annual get together !! Only me and the Head Chef on site, got them fed and watered, they finally left at 4 in the morning as pissed as parrots !!!
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Haha, you watered the vets. Like they are flowers. Sorry, I'm in a weird mood this morning.
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Marilyn Holt 5 years ago
This is when a bus full of hockey players drives into your parking lot!!!!
Veronica Vatter 5 years ago
We just got a foot of snow today. People are still rolling thru the drive thrus
#19
When You Wash Your Chef Coat And Forget To Take The Sharpies Out Of Your Pocket
Dana 5 years ago
When I was younger my Dad left a pen in one of his work shirts and accidentally put it into the wash with my teddy bear: I was inconsolable until he came out of the wash again clean again (the bear, not my father)
Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
The story was good enough, until I read the part in parentheses. I couldn’t breathe for laughing.
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Mayrene Chester 3 years ago
Took me a while to figure this pic out. Thank goodness for comments
#20
When You Compare Sheet Pan Burns With Other Chefs
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago (edited)
Oh man I grabbed a biscuit pan with my thumb hooked on top and a rag covering my fingers. This &#$@ girl took it out of oven and handed it straight to me when I was walking by to get something else. She just turned and shoved it in my hand kinda. The whole inside bottom part of my thumb was one huge bubble. Got off work a few days because it was nasty and had to stay bandaged on my main hand. People don't want you putting plates of food in front of them with a bandaid or finger condom touching plates or drinks.
Lorelai Purvis 4 years ago
i hit my forearm on the inside of a 400 F oven and i have the scar to prove it... i thought i would be fine but it started to hurt
#21
RavenClaw 5 years ago
nah thats outside in the back . ( were the trash cans be)
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Carol Lewis 5 years ago
School lunch lady here. Freezer door shuts, theres a vacuum so the door won't open again for a few seconds. There is a sign on the inside of the door explaining this and says not to panic if it closes when you're inside. I panic every single time.
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
As a shift leader, I would send people to the walk-in to "cool off" when I though they needed to cry.
Jules Caldwell 5 years ago
Wow you're a douche. Maybe offer to run their food or do something to help??? Nah, Imma tell em when to cry.
Load More Replies... #22
The Fact That No One Can Recognize You Outside Of The Kitchen
Renate Stargardt 5 years ago
I had a friend who worked in a bank. Outside of job, neither customers ... and sometimes even colleagues, recognized him. It was a significant difference. From suit with a tie, to ripped jeans and t-shirt, piercings in his ears and eyebrow ... showing all of his tattoos ... and he had lots of them! Oh ... and just for clarification ... that was more than 30 years ago ...
Jessica Metzler 5 years ago
I took my glasses off at work one day and people thought they hired someone.
Celtic Pirate Queen 5 years ago
There's no way you'd look that good in the kitchen. For one thing - who actually wears a toque while working? It's basically only for photos like this so you don't get confused with a dentist. Your face isn't sweaty, the baby hairs along your hairline haven't frizzed and your mascara isn't running.
#23
When You Have A Double Sinus Infection And Bronchitis
Hugh Cookson 5 years ago
Yup, I once worked for a week with a broken wrist (in plaster) because we were short staffed and busy !! Not as bad a friend of mine though, he came to work with concussion, got sent off to the hospital where an X Ray determined that he had a hairline skull fracture.
fuggnuggins 5 years ago
Because every git and their wife think they can open a restaurant/cafe and sell good food for cheap. Which means cutting costs somewhere else. To run a successful business you should have enough staff to cover when someone else can't come. You should always be overstaffed, but restaurants/cafes typically barely have sufficient staff if that. So, the staff have to do more to carry the business, and still the profit goes to the owner. So, just don't work for those places. Let them die. They're a charity, at the expense of the staff. It'd be better if restaurants were run by people who understood what it takes.
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Toasty 5 years ago
This list pertains to the service industry. If you can stand, you are working. Just how it is.
Hollysmom 5 years ago
And that's just how sickness snd germs spread and pandemics start
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hydrostatic joints 5 years ago
My mom is a nurse and at her job, they literally don't have the Flu in their list of things you can get off of work for.
JessG 5 years ago
Seeing as how nurses with a mild case of COVID are still required to work, I’m not surprised.
Load More Replies... Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
Cut hand. Went to hospital for stitches. Came back to get my jacket. Head cook told me to get on the line. Got on the line.
Marilyn Holt 5 years ago
Years ago, after my shift, Idrove straight to the hospital and was there for a week with pneumonia.
Annett Nyrud 3 years ago
What? You did not go to work the next day??! Were you not fired?
Load More Replies... Henry Saravia-Melara 5 years ago
a women with a broken finger still had to go to work with a BROKEN FINGER
Jessica Metzler 5 years ago
I worked with a sprained ankle, torn wrist tendons, worn rotator cuff, threw out my back more than once, I have arthritis in both hands and have worked with migraines multiple times.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
And that does not include the US. Unfortunately probably never will.
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#24
David Martin 5 years ago
Working in a movie theatre snack bar, these were actually put away every night for mopping, and I was expected to bring them back out on my opening shifts five days a week; Guess who invested in his own boxes of disposable gloves on day one
Some Cool Guy 5 years ago
These are feet stress relief mats for those standing all day. Also notorious for collecting crap.
Alexis draskinis 5 years ago
OMG! The mop water that comes from these things will melt through your Shoes for Crews!!! Lolololol!!
#25
#26
I Have Some Bad News For This Guy...
Salty Old Woman 5 years ago
Or any restaurant food ever, for that matter.
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Calypso poet 5 years ago
You really would have hated when smoking was allowed indoors and our cook would clean her ears out with matches from our promotional matchbooks we put in the ashtrays 😂
april janzen 5 years ago
Haha. I was taught how to clean those gross ass mats..put those mats in the dishwasher..and that was about once a month..lol let dishwasher run one cycle , to of course to clean the dishwasher, then load it with pots and pans that all the food was cooked or prepped on.....
M Kate McCulloch 5 years ago
Oh - well, about 2/3's of all restaurant staff smoke... so go make your food at home!
Luther von Wolfen 5 years ago
Private club in the late 80's - the chef smoked, and we never got inspected. Ashtrays on every prep table. Loved it.
#27
The Phantom Printer Noises You Hear While You Sleep
fuggnuggins 5 years ago
The only thing worse than the noises docket printers make is a docket printer that doesn't make noise.
#28
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Now that I think about it, when I was a waitress the chefs were kinda stuck up. Like they were better because they can make eggs professionally.
Ronald Morrison 3 years ago
Chef was swamped, my wife, the server, offered to help. Expertly flipped a couple of eggs for over easy. Chef begged her to show him how to do it.
#29
Catlady6000 5 years ago
I'm sitting in the office, which has a clear view of the entire galley. See health inspector walk in on the cameras. Yell at the servers in the galley he's here and to start checking dates and tell the cooks. Get deer in the headlights stare. Keep yelling. Guy walks in, just out of sight of galley but a couple feet from office. I keep yelling, with same result. He comes and stands with me. I point to him and yell some more. One person, ONE, finally starts doing something. Inspector looks at me and says "Well, you tried." He keeps standing there, manager finally comes out of kitchen, does a double take. Chews me out later for not saying anything.
Hollysmom 5 years ago
Sorry, I just can't relate to any of this. No one seems yo have any work ethic, pride, common sense, or care about the health, wellbeing, and happiness of others. SICK
Load More Replies... fuggnuggins 5 years ago
Completely different in Australia. You see health inspectors as frequently as ticket inspectors on buses - rare to never. Even then there's usually some forewarning to the manager - will be in between these dates.
Jessica Petersen 4 years ago
I saved our asses from (most likely) failing a health check, due to a cheap ass owner and lazy staff. Just went around the kitchen and salad bar, if it was open, it was in the trash. Had to. This guy was so cheap, he had the bartenders save empty bottles, so he could refill them either 1:3 water/liquor or a whole different, cheaper brand altogether.
#30
JessG 5 years ago
I hate when cooks turn stuff off early, because customers inevitably come in late. And then the cooks yell at servers because they put an order in. But you can’t tell customers “no” because then managers yell at servers too. Servers: damned if you do, or damned if you don’t.
OhForSmegSake 5 years ago
More restaurants/cafes need to normalise telling customers that the kitchen is closed for the night. Cleaning takes forever and rebooting everything for one table is frustrating and a waste of time. Let them eat cake and coffee.
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Unaffected 3 years ago
In Australia once the kitchen closes that's it.If the restaurant closes at 10 pm the kitchen closes at 9pm.No way you'll get a meal
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What do you think ?
Al Jones 5 years ago
I've never been a chef but I could still feel it for 5 minutes. Insightful (and funny) stuff.
Toasty 5 years ago
I've been a chef for twenty years, and this list made me ask myself, what have I done with my life?
jesse havlin 5 years ago (edited)
Don't ever forget that you're appreciated. I mean, not by me but by somebody. I assume.
Load More Replies... King Joffrey 5 years ago
I find it interesting how in Europe a chef (and in Southern Europe also a waiter) is considered a professional job rather than something people 'who only did a little prison time' do.
Toasty 5 years ago
There are many career chefs in the US who take immense pride in what they do. It really is a job best suited for a young and single person though: long hours, poor pay, temperamental staff, rampant substance abuse. It's funny, I have never had a problem getting a woman to go out with me because I am a chef, but I have never had a relationship last because I am a chef.
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Al Jones 5 years ago
I've never been a chef but I could still feel it for 5 minutes. Insightful (and funny) stuff.
Toasty 5 years ago
I've been a chef for twenty years, and this list made me ask myself, what have I done with my life?
jesse havlin 5 years ago (edited)
Don't ever forget that you're appreciated. I mean, not by me but by somebody. I assume.
Load More Replies... King Joffrey 5 years ago
I find it interesting how in Europe a chef (and in Southern Europe also a waiter) is considered a professional job rather than something people 'who only did a little prison time' do.
Toasty 5 years ago
There are many career chefs in the US who take immense pride in what they do. It really is a job best suited for a young and single person though: long hours, poor pay, temperamental staff, rampant substance abuse. It's funny, I have never had a problem getting a woman to go out with me because I am a chef, but I have never had a relationship last because I am a chef.
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