1. We throw pots and pans.
Well the strange thing is, when i first started training to be a chef, my bossed did once throw a pan at me. He told me that if i had to ask three times, i must not be listening! Anyway that was almost 20 years ago now! The truth is, If you throw a pot or pan, or anything else for that matter, you become subject to a certain thing called The Law. Its assault and generally wont get you any respect from any other chef. Maybe 20 years ago it was the way forward, but nowadays, Things have moved on. we teach by inspiring and not by fear. Seriously people, stop watching so much TV!
2. We drink too much.
A few things on this one.
How much is too much!(lol) – When you think that most people of a certain age will go out a drink til they dont know there own names on a weekend. Most of us chefs are still working! we have been all day. and to be honest we probably have worked almost twice the hours that most have in a week! A pint after work really is standard for most people, whether that be at home or in a pub. I know a lot of high flyers that drink more than most can afford. After 15 hours on your feet within a very small chance of a break maybe, just maybe we deserve a quick drink before we go home to sleep for 6 hours before we get up and do it all again!
Of course there are exception to this! as there always is. But please remember that a chef that destroys his palate with to many beers, the ones that become fragile in the mornings and can perform the vast amount of work each chef is thrown. Soon will not be a very good chef! There are pressures like this in every job and not just the catering trade!
(Ps Staff parties are not taken into consideration!)
3. Chefs are uneducated
There may well seem to be a understanding that most chefs are uneducated and have just “fallen” into this trade. That may be true in Ping and Ding culture. But to really succeed in the trade most chefs never stop learning, gaining qualifications and always trying to improve. I even met a chef last year that has completed a degree in Meta Physics in his spare time!
Chefs take pleasure in keeping up to date with the world news, current trends and teaching others to improve themselves. If you don’t believe me challenge your local restaurant to a pub quiz!!
4.We always shout.
Whilst the head chef needs to be vocal, any other chef that runs around shouting is generally a fool. Passing off his inadequacy to others. We do not have time to shout continuously, to blame others and to degrade other staff members. All we need to do is communicate and get our job done to the best of our abilities! Shouting chefs are something of the past and for Fake TV programs to intrigue others! Of course there are exceptions to this, but please see point #1
5.We love being asked what our signature dish is.
Come on guys, do we ask you what your favourite line for selling PPI is? Yes, us chefs love the food that we cook, and by all means are happy to talk endlessly about it. But the truth is when we create and perfect one dish, we move on and create another!
6.We know everything about all foods.
Do me a quick favour and type into google how many recipes there are. If you think that we can store all of that information then thank you! But your wrong. If you ask me how to make that unique variety of kimchi found only in a small village in South Korea. And then look at me like I’m not a real chef when I say I don’t know….I might just make you look stupid!
7.We all swear, all the time!
No We f***ing don’t! See points #1 and #4
8. Cooking for a chef is difficult, as we may judge you.
Don’t Be so silly! We all love food, and really do understand the effort that it goes into making a dish. There is nothing better than to sit down with friends and eat. And If we don’t have to cook then that’s even better!
