10 Things from a Line Cook: Confessional | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

10 Things from a Line Cook: Confessional

Kitchens are life

134
10 Things from a Line Cook: Confessional
pintrest

I have worked as a line cook for many years and it's always different walking into a new kitchen. But, it's always the same practices and complaints from customers. So, as a line cook, I'm going to address some things that you might be wondering.

1: "Why is our food taking so long?" Well my little guys, it honestly depends. I have worked as an expo, so I am the last defense before the food gets to you. Does your order have countless mods? Does your order have countless items? Were you rude to your server? Well, I will break it down for you: If you have a well done burger or steak, it alone takes around 15 minutes for your piece of meat. We are not robots, your food is not precooked, we actually have to make your plate from sides to protein. If you were rude to your server and we find out about it, we'll tack on an extra 10 minutes for liability.

2: "This is cold, can you guys make me a new plate?" Someone is a comedian. Yes, in theory we can remake your plate.Will we? Most likely not. We will throw whatever was on that plate into a pan, on the flat top, or simply in the microwave. We introduce you to Chef Mic the microwave. We will serve it to you after that, you think that a burger was back at your table in under 10 minutes and think it's fresh? Think again. 3: "This is not what I ordered" Whoops

4: That food has probably touched the floor: Now, before you just vomit all over yourself, we have morals and sanitation laws, so if it was a piece of meat or something we will toss it and start over. Now, if we were in a bind and you ordered something like a salad or burger and it so happened to fall on the floor, well your burger just got a little pizzazz added to your meal.

5: Line cooks and chefs talk a lot of shit about customers...a lot. Don't get your panties in a bunch, we talk shit behind closed doors. If a server comes into the kitchen complaining about you, we are all ears. Oh girl, tell us how the shitty bitch at table 7 demanded a refund because her soup was too hot. We love hearing about it, especially if it involves an order still on our board.

6: Line cooks are like one big family, and when we all have linked nights off shit gets crazy. I'm saying, lots and lots of drinking. It'd very rare for line cooks not to be working. For instance, my expo, me, and 3 other line cooks have the night off... What bar are we going to again?

7: You will say shit like "behind" and "around the corner" in the damn grocery store: I have caught myself doing it many times and people give you such a weird look. I will happily say these things at work where, if not spoken, things can go very wrong.

8: We are all tattoo having, coloring vocabulary spewing, pyro loving, sharp object wielding psychopaths. After a 10, 12, 14-hour shift, all you want is oblivion: beer, shots, and more. You wind down by chain smoking in basement apartments, grinding your teeth in between dipping your head for a rail as you re-hash the finer points of that night's service. We love to cuss, as a line cook, it's unheard of to go all shift without dropping 150+ F-bombs.

9: We have a "restaurant voice": In a kitchen you HAVE to be loud. You have to be able to be heard above fryers, ovens, saute pans, the servers, the other line cooks. I have came home yelling and I have to mentally turn off that switch to go down to a lower voice.

10: You always are super appreciative when you go to a restaurant you don't work at: We've been there, we know the struggle of a mid day rush, we know when things aren't prepped. We understand. We always tip more then 20% on the bill, we never complain when the food takes long, especially when the server apologizes.

11: We get injured way to much: Cuts and burns are apart of everyday life. Yesterday, I burned my thumb on the flat top, and 10 minutes later, I grabbed a handle and burned my palm and fingers. I have so many cuts from paring knives and peelers. After working in a kitchen you will either no longer be able to feel how hot something is, or just lose all feeling in your hands. It's fate.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

194487
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

17441
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459786
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27730
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments