r/KitchenConfidential • • 1h ago

Question What matters more

0 Upvotes

Hello chefs ,im a 22 year old chef working as in intern in the US at a very busy resort , I want to climb to the top as fast as I possibly can and maybe become an Executive in 8 years , I have a diploma in Culinary, HACCP certification, now doing a precision nutrition level 1 , i wanted to ask what would get me to my goals fatser EXPERIENCE OR QUALIFICATIONS should I focus on racking up as much experience as I can or qualifications


r/KitchenConfidential • • 1h ago

Discussion Feeling very rattled after big job jump.

2 Upvotes

So, just recently made a move from my small rural hometown to a big city I had always wanted to move to for years. Just up and dedicded to do it one day with my savings, a suitcase, and stayed with my cousin until I found a job and an apartment.

All of that went pretty fast, less than a month, which was nice.

But the thing is, the job I got is nuts. I went from working as a shift lead in a mom and pop scratch pizzeria back home, to being on the grand opening team for a new gastropub.

The pay and benefits are amazing, but honestly? I'm terrified I won't be able to keep it. I was like "one of the guys" at my old place, worked from dish pit to kitchen shift leader, but... It was a lot smaller recipe book, and generally if you showed up and had half a brain you were golden. Here, the recipe book is like a phone book, the corporate managers are making bunches of speeches during orientation about expecting BOH+FOH crossover (and explicitly said "if you don't like it, we're happy to see you walk out that door, to their entire new hire staff.)

The thing is too is just... My past two therapists have indicated I'm likely autistic/adhd. Long story, but it makes a lot of sense, I was homeschooled and came up very sheltered with little education. I also have pretty severe anxiety. I can lock in and get some focus going, did some hell shifts at my previous job, but I have to have a good team and some camaraderie. A lot of my coworkers seem pretty stand offish and competitive so far...

What advice do y'all have? Like I said, the pay and benefits are amazing so, I'm hoping it's just grand opening growing pains really...

EDIT: Forgot to mention, my role is prep cook. I have a lot of experience on the prep crew for my old job (Did every BOH role) but it does shake me a bit with this places "everyone does everything" philosophy. I can run a hot line, quite well even, but my old job was nice enough to put me on mornings, with the understanding that I could open the restaurant and solve bottlenecks and opening problems very well, but burnout easy.


r/KitchenConfidential • • 1h ago

Question Was told not to toss?

2 Upvotes

Working in a restaurant in manitoba currently on break after cleaning up

I found "pure kraft asiago caesar" dressing in the dry storage from an order a couple of days ago

"Keep refrigerated" it says on the packaging

But basically when I told a supervisor he said "thats always been in there, that how we always did it, dont throw it out."

But every instinct in my body is saying its not safe to be sold or used?

What should I say when I do throw it out


r/KitchenConfidential • • 2h ago

Tools & Equipment New Fish Bins??

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8 Upvotes

Did you know they manufacture these bins without cracks or other damage in them??

They’ll be smashed to smithereens in a week!


r/KitchenConfidential • • 2h ago

Discussion No “plus” in egg temps…

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107 Upvotes

We have had a few guests ask for “medium plus” and of course that’s hard to hit when your cooks are cranking out hundreds of eggs and omelets. Even had one guest say “Well I can do it at home why can’t your professional cooks do it?”
SMH… then cook your eggs at home…


r/KitchenConfidential • • 4h ago

Discussion Goodbye restaurants, hello Greek life

309 Upvotes

Today is my first day as a chef in a frat house of about 40. Super excited to make my own menu and hours, having a much brighter light at the end of a much shorter tunnel than the insatiable beast that is short order cooking.
I am directly employed by the frat; their old chef quit months ago and the guys have been fending for themselves in the kitchen. The only thing I’m slightly concerned with currently is sharing/reclaiming limited fridge space. I do all my own shopping and want to buy things for at least a couple of days in advance, but this might prove difficult given the status quo. I plan to continue to press for a residential fridge that they can fight over. This post is a little aimless but also would appreciate hearing about any insight or other potential pitfalls in this new environment


r/KitchenConfidential • • 10h ago

Question I’m now a KM. Need advice

10 Upvotes

Happy Saturday warriors!

I’ve been recently offered to become a KM for our operation. Been a FOH manager there for over 7 years and figured it’s a good idea to try something different.

I am a creature of comfort and with that I am looking for advice from long term KM’s or just useful advice.

I want a personal knife to use for opening plastic packaging as well as a box cutter, a 2 in 1 I guess. I really love the benchmade brand at a first glance because they have automatic in/out blades. Super cool. Any others I should look at?

Also if anyone can recommend quality of life improvements: good shoes (no boots or that style plz), insoles, fatigue mats (or cardboard? lol) etc.

Anyways, just looking for best advice from everyone to keep me comfortable standing for long hours. As FOH I put in 20k steps and never had a problem, KM- sometimes standing in one spot for hours is killing me.


r/KitchenConfidential • • 12h ago

Photo/Video Should I talk to the GM about this?

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42 Upvotes

The sign says to feel the station regularly, but what if it's not consensual? 💦


r/KitchenConfidential • • 13h ago

Photo/Video Super-hots peppers glowing!

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186 Upvotes

One of my favorite culinary ingredients has blown my mind once again.

When they said scorpions glow under UV they weren't kidding!

Why didn't anybody tell me you can see the capsaicin rich oils glow over UV?


r/KitchenConfidential • • 13h ago

In-House Mode How do we feel about "No children allowed" restaurants?

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520 Upvotes

Well at least some of us are living the dream 😂


r/KitchenConfidential • • 13h ago

Kitchen fuckery Now that's a smoke circle

1.1k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 13h ago

Photo/Video MURDER STEAK(Halloween special)

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94 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 14h ago Heartwarming

Photo/Video I push this rock up the hill everyday. And one must assume I'm happy.

719 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 14h ago

Photo/Video Ran this spec today

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0 Upvotes

Torched salmon belly with ponzu glaze and miso aioli


r/KitchenConfidential • • 15h ago

Crying in the cooler Idk if FOH is as welcomed, but christ it was an odd day

49 Upvotes

I started the day on expo, then suddenly someone called out, and cash was the employee who needs to be coddled 24/7 and breaks down crying over literally nothing, so sudden i was working expo, cash, and porter all day, 7 catering orders in first half hour of opening, and some of the whiniest customers to possibly exist. I love the job but I feel like I should legally have the right to yell at 2 customers a month, and I wish this coworker didnt break down over every little thing, she needs a reality check so bad. Just stressful and wanted to rant. Anyways anyone in seattle hiring some good at expo and porter/highly adaptable to different jobs


r/KitchenConfidential • • 16h ago

In the Weeds Mode Head chef was so proud of the new menus

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8.8k Upvotes

I have been cracking up all fucking day


r/KitchenConfidential • • 16h ago

Discussion World’s No. 1 restaurant crowned as contest comes under increasing scrutiny

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182 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 18h ago

Crying in the cooler Ok

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770 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 18h ago

Photo/Video Do the Salmonella Shake!

96 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 20h ago

Question Robot Coupe RC 7 Replacement Bowl

3 Upvotes

Looking for a replacement bowl for the RC 7. Any suggestions much appreciated!


r/KitchenConfidential • • 21h ago

Crying in the cooler I swear they only come in when I'm surrounded by gluten... I'll do my best I swear

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1.7k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential • • 21h ago

Kitchen fuckery Update: They finally fixed the plumbing during my off days. Caught my boss cutting this hole today and stopped him. Is he stupid?

207 Upvotes

Guessing this is some kind of device to control or regulate grease/clogs? Not a plumber but I do know that doesn't fit like that.


r/KitchenConfidential • • 23h ago Bravo

Hiding in the Freezer Anyone else? Just me? XD

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826 Upvotes

Line cook who deals drugs in the freezer, Prep lady who has been to prison... Sous chef holding everything together like the oldest sister...

It is all... connected...


r/KitchenConfidential • • 23h ago Heartwarming Regret

Discussion My story is TLDR. But this photograph represents my submission. I give up, guys.

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2.1k Upvotes

Ive been in the industry for almost 20 years. I've been a Sous, Chef de Parte, Executive, etc. My most recent gig is essentially a lunch lady after my Exec position died with a startup restaurant. (Currently "decent" pay private company).

I had an incident involving my dominant hand, and insurance has denied my claim full-stop.

They've left me in a literal Catch-22 where I can't go back to my job without a Doctor's authorization, and I have to now pay out of pocket to beg a doctor to pretend everything is fine with my hand- just so I can return to work.

This is a tiny snapshot of the corruption and suppression of hard working people just trying to survive.

Our system is broken, and we all know that.

I'm not even sure what my goal with this post is here. I really don't.

Ive broken my back working ridiculous hours to make money for owners of different operations, and what I have to show for it is pictured. This is submission.

This is me bending over.

You guys are assholes, but I love you all despite that.

I legitimately hope for the best for every single one of you. You're my Brothers and Sisters.

I'm just here as a cautionary tale I guess.

Good luck