I finally walked out of a kitchen mid-shift last Saturday after 12 years of putting up with the nonsense

Last Saturday at this bistro in Portland, the owner comes in and starts yelling at me about the prep list not being done exactly how his wife wanted. I had a 12-top walk in at 6pm, a broken dishwasher, and my saute guy called out sick. He kept going on about the parsley garnish being too chunky while I was trying to fire entrees. I just took off my apron, grabbed my knife roll, and walked out. I'm 38 and I've worked in kitchens since I was 19, but that was the last straw. Any other line cooks here ever just had enough and left without notice?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendy67422d ago

That owner sounds like he's been coasting on your loyalty for years. A 12-top walk-in during a dinner rush with a broken dishwasher and a missing saute guy? Anyone would crack. You did the right thing walking out instead of snapping and throwing a pan at him. Just make sure you grab your final paycheck this week and file for unemployment if you can. Also, hit up your old contacts ASAP, every city has at least three kitchens that would kill for a line cook with your experience. Most owners don't realize how replaceable they are until the good ones leave.

uma_lopez21d ago

Good for you. No one should have to take that kind of treatment after giving twelve years to a place.