Restaurant cook memes

Pantry is technically a kitchen position, but it doesn't really cook anything aside from bread. That's where the line cooks come in.

• It's always hot on the line.
• They're always waiting for something. More sauce. More noodles. More plates. More orders.
• There's a bit of hostility between cooks and servers. Sometimes either side gets something wrong. Deal with it! In the pantry position, I get both sides of complaints from both parties. I try my best to ease tensions (since I have to deal with both), and pantry gives me the unique opportunity to improve morale for both sides.
• They don't like working the pantry position. It gets crowded up front and servers will often do their own thing while getting in the way. I'm used to it. I see relief on the line cooks' faces when I come on. Glad to help!
• They yell the loudest. "FOOD RUNNERS!"
• They are probably the most sanitary workers in existence... hopefully.
• They have great memories... remember the time?... Nah. Recipes.
• They have short fuses. Understandable since most of the restaurant relies on them.
• They keep their heads on when it's busy. Most of the time. Tempers flare up especially when food get backed up.

It takes a special kind of person to be a line cook. You need a good memory, good sense of priorities, consistent work flow, and a lot of patience. They also rely on a lot of people to keep things going like dishes, ingredients, clarity of orders, and prepped food. This is where everything starts. Line cooks rock!

Yep, there's a lot of cleaning involved.

Not entirely inaccurate.

I know the feeling as a pantry cook, but prep for the line cooks are very extensive.

I've heard some strange orders come through.

WOW! These are a Godsend during the summer!

"Yeah, after I dig myself out from the pit of Hell"

This is not a favorite. Not at all. Nope. Go have some top ramen... AT HOME!

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Restaurant server memes

 Technically pantry is a kitchen position, but I'm around servers all the time. I do not envy servers.

• Balances heavy trays of food and drink, with occasional mishaps. Sometimes I clean up after them since they have to serve their guests. Shit happens.
• Often cuts in line to do their salad orders. That's fine... 😣 Understandable though. Those servers who do help me out in pantry are greatly appreciated.
• Sometimes I'm a crossover employee. I sometimes pick up their slack. I'm told it's not my job but when they're behind, and I'm not, I can help out.
• Sometimes ignores the bread oven timer. Can be irritating. That's okay because the servers know my job too. Fine. Finish your order so I can get the bread 😝
• Sometimes they take the bread out of the oven without putting in a new tray. Do you want another 10 minute wait on bread during dinner rush? Do ya? Hmmm?
• It gets rather intimate at times on the front end. Proper hygiene is a must. Beware of my boney elbows though since they're lethal. The front end is a very narrow corridor and people need to get from one side to the other. I need to stock things.
• Servers have to deal with rude guests. I've had my share of customer and guests at other jobs. I do what I can, in classic introvert style, to lower stress levels. Humor and appreciation.
• Often servers will need to revise orders after they ring it in. They have a lot going on and... well... shit happens. 
• I'm the odd duck 🦆in a pond of servers. The ones I work with have great personalities! If their attitude was negative all the time, I'm sure I wouldn't have lasted as long as I have, so thank you!

And now for the memes:

Yep, I've heard the stories *being a server

There we have it! Be our guest :D

Lovely dinner rushes

Yeah...

Now who picks up the slack?

End the hunger!

Servers have an arsenal of pens... if they're prepared

*Groan* honesty is a rarity

Tip your servers, people!

I groan at this on Facebook all the time

Celebration time!

It gets rather... intimate. The bread oven has become my secret lover.

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http://blog.shoplet.com/
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http://s2.quickmeme.com/

Restaurant manager memes

It's not easy being a manager... trying to juggle employee satisfaction with costs.

• We need to keep 9% labor in the kitchen!

• Food costs! Less carryover!

• Stable work schedule? Are you nuts? 

• Who's gonna clean up the vomit in the bathroom? 

• Who will stay or who will go?

• Gotta show corporate around... *sigh*

• Even though your workload is off the charts, we need you to do this, then this, then this...

• Inventory. Enough said. Stay late. Work long hours.

*I was the closing manager at a small mom & pop store. I only managed one other person a night. I did not have to deal with all of the above so I salute all the managers I'm working with now! You're freakin' gold!

Frustrating isn't it?

Who was the hardest manager to find?

In the office...

Update: Missing memes removed 😞

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For a Sassy Redhead (blog intro)

This is for Kristen. Yeah... the lengths I go to for my coworkers! I often write about my nights at work and sometimes they're helpful for those who didn't work that night. Was it busy or slow? How was everyone's attitude? Any gossip (I really don't like gossip but I overhear things)? Was corporate there to pester anyone?

I'm not going to name the place I'm working at or the full names of my coworkers, just to be respectful. But people may piece things together in the future. I won't get into any secret sauce ingredients or refer to any methods used, or badmouth any practices management imposes on people. I value my job and I've learned a lot!

I work at a kitchen position for a restaurant although I'm surrounded by servers. Normally a kitchen person stays in the hot kitchen, but not me. I'm in the front end in the path of people who actually have to deal with customers. It would be nice if the front was wider because it gets crowded up there! One time I joked that I'm glad I'm not claustrophobic, to which someone replied, "You're insane!" We have to be insane to work at a busy restaurant. My excuse anyway.

I work pantry. I make salads, scoop ice cream, bake bread, and flirt with all the cute servers (even you, Devin! Even though I'm totally straight). I joke around, make eye contact whenever I can, address people by name, and make sure everything is stocked up and ready for people when they need it. I don't really consider myself a flirt though... maybe I'm a playful flirt. I don't know. At some point or another, people will flirt with each other. It's life. It's hard work. It's stress relief. Flirting is part of the circle of life. It happens all the time at your place of employment, no matter where you work. The point, for me, is getting people out of their heads and away from the stress. There's nothing like seeing the "shine" of people, that moment when they're most relaxed and where their smile is all natural and beautiful. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

I learned a lot about myself, courtesy of my coworkers and this job. I was diagnosed with a slight anxiety disorder and mild depression, and I just turned 45 years old and I'm surrounded by people in their twenties. I developed a lot of life changing skills during my short year-and-a-half while working at this restaurant, like realizing these diagnoses do not define me. In fact, the anxiety and depression are side effects of being a highly sensitive person (HSP https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-makes-a-highly-sensitive-person/). I learned to slow myself down, it's not a fast food restaurant and waiting is part of the restaurant experience! There's no pressure anymore. No anxiety. Everything will happen in a timely manner. I created a workflow to make it easier for myself and for my coworkers. I do get irritated though. Shit happens. Good thing my bullshit tolerance is high.

I used to worry about the age difference between me and my coworkers. They taught me, as long as I don't make an issue out of anything, that it doesn't matter! It's all about how we make each other feel. They make me feel splendid, baby! So I return the favor.

 Whew! What a wordy introduction. Time to rest.

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