Pain of a Chef

3. January 2010 by Kenneth Gilbert.

Chef’s are warriors in the Food and Beverage profession. We cook through burns,  cuts, long hours on our feet and the stress of striving for perfection. As Tupac said, “Pain is Love and Love is Pain”. If you don’t love the craft do not participate in the craft.

After a long few weeks cooking for thousands of guests during the holidays, I lay resting getting ready for yet another stretch of time to cook for patrons looking for a meal, experience and satisfaction craving hunger. Heat pad on my quad, ice pack on my lower lumbar region of my back and a glass of wine in my hand. Thinking about the next good dish, how to be more consistent, how to maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen better and more importantly how to develop the next culinarian for the future.

Ultimately as a culinary warrior, we still need a day to rest our body, mind  and then reconnect with our spirit. You strive for the perfect meal and the perfect dining experience. Yet when do we take enough time out for ourselves and our families. I wish that I could separate the two better. Did Maximus in 300 send his team to battle or did he lead the charge? he led the charge with his team unselfishly. I love my crew and I only hope that they continue to respect me. As you learn you should teach and as you teach you will reinforce what you have learned!

I thank God for the blessings he has provided me. For the health of my children, family and friends and the gifts that he has set before me.

Posted in Professionals | Print | 542 Comments »