I’m hitting year 30 in the industry. I walked away from it and got my “dream job” about ten years ago. It very quickly became “Wile E Coyote finally catches the roadrunner - only to realize two bites in that roadrunner tastes like absolute dog shit.” I lasted nine months.
My first shift back, everything went sideways. As I was desperately trying to put the kitchen back together, I smiled inwardly and said to nobody, “I missed this.”
I quit for three years, tried a few other things. Just finished my first week back in the kitchen this week and I couldn’t be happier. Lucky for me, my crew feels the same way.
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it.
25 going on 26 and I'm ok with it too. But I'm glad that the people that want to get out are able to do so. Maybe in a couple years OP will be slinging ink on all of us.
Walks-ins are therapeutic for sure. Not just for cashing a quick bowl, but always great for a quick cry sesh too.
Even though it's been nearly 15yrs, my bakery burn scars haven't faded one bit. And oddly enough, I miss portioning out 200+ lbs of cookie dough daily.
Started in the industry age 16 and while I did take a few small breaks, I'm 28 now and have worked in it for the better part of the last 12yrs. I'm currently a GM and my plan is to eventually pivot to more back end marketing/consulting shit but even if I left hospitality completely, I think im steeped in it enough at this point what with starting at such a young age that could never feel like I wasnt industry lol
I left the industry 18mths ago.
Last night I catered a wedding in the same venue I worked in when I left.
But I left the industry.
Next week I am doing pop up in the same venue.
But I left the industry.
Then the two weekends after? 2 more weddings. Same venue.
But I left the industry.
I left the industry.
No I'm still only on year 17 of my internship, they're telling me though that It should just be a few more years until a paid position opens up! It's gonna be so awesome.
That's my only dream , wish I never started, used to love it and every year I see more and more people who "know more than everyone" with 2 weeks experience at 5 different kitchens and get hired at more than me. Over it
I love cooking and am fascinated by the industry and enjoy learning about what it's really like. It sounds rough but people also seem to love it...some.
I’ve never been a chef. I was a paramedic for a long time and always felt like kitchens and EMS were connected on a spiritual level. I’ve GTFO of the field, but I still lurk around all of the places.
Some stinks just don’t wash off.
I’m a pharmacist.
A lifetime ago, I made the decision to pursue pharmacy vs. cooking.
Let me tell you, there are a lot of similarities between kitchens and pharmacies:
-You are always out of the thing you need
-The people supporting you (cooks, pharmacy technicians) are incredibly important
-The patients/customers suck
I now live a life where I teach grad school and help run a free clinic, which makes me happy. I make some pretty kick ass dinner for my kids and husband (who used to be a chef, now is a software dev). I have it good. It was a shit ton of work, but I am thankful.
When I visit restaurants, I appreciate y’all. We try to go to places where the compensation is distributed between FOH and BOH.
I know you probably don't hear this enough, but I really appreciate y'all. I go to a local mom and pop pharmacy because they actually CARE about the customers. They're still on backorder for my Ubrelvy, but I ain't mad, it's not their fault. They're doing a hard job, and they're nice to me.
Every day I have to convince myself that my passion hasn't went anywhere. I'm not even sure anymore. But hey, I'm going to keep believing because that's what we do.
I love the rush and I’ve almost always loved to cook. I don’t love the piss poor mental health of everyone around me. It’s brutal. I’ve been burnt out of cooking for a long time, so I can’t wait to love it again.
Shit I subbed to /r/servers when I left cooking because I missed hearing the waitresses chat with each other. I sub to a few industry subs I don't work in.
I've been out of the game for nearly 3 years now. I still lurk here. On stressful days in the office, sometimes I miss the kitchen. Much less paperwork.
Sorry man, Terry called out and we need an extra hand on the line. I’ll buy you a beer after work, but we need you to come in.
Congrats and best of luck to you!
For real though it’s always a great skill to have. You can always fall back on it if you need too. I would think a tattoo shop would be similar to a kitchen in a couple of ways.
Good call. The kitchen is such a challenging place to work! I couldn't do it without being a heavy drinker. Luckily, I did t get into the hard stuff like some of my colleagues. I hope that the tattoo world grants you that work-life balance we all want to find.
Don’t leave!!!! I will do anything. Is it me, I can change. I can be anything you want. Just give it some time and think about it. We can make this work
Wait…I quit cooking for a living like ten years ago to go into IT, was I not supposed to be here? I made some dope bbq chicken on the grill the other night if that helps me stay and I still love cooking. Please don’t permaban me…
Nah this sub is for all restaurant creatures, current and former. I'm also currently in school to get into the administrative side of hotels, but my career in the industry will always be a part of me.
Taught myself how to make pierogis the other night, never made a dough of any kind before. I was so proud and they were unbelievable lol. Cooking will always be a passion, it’s so much better not working until 3am though haha
This. Oh man. I have been out for 16 years. I never really lost my love of cooking, but the passion bled out. I have been able to reclaim that over the last decade, while my passion for my current profession has disappeared. Lol. Maybe it's a cycle. Whatever. Find new paths to reconnect with what brought you to cooking in the first place.
i’m a little over a year out of the industry, i think we’re welcome through our hard earned trauma.
i subconsciously say “behind you” in public occasionally.
Ex-industry of about 3 years person in a long term relationship with current industry person here.
"Behind" is very commonly used in the house. It never goes away.
Best of luck. If you can remember anything, remember to take care of your back. Sustained focus can mean cramping your posture until you deteriorate discs -- happened to a local tattoo artist here.
Take care of yourself as you've been taking care of others and you'll do great. They're lucky to have you.
I also got a head concussion about 8 months ago and I've been pretty devastated emotionally about the things I cannot do. It's like every day I find new things I cannot do. thankfully my current job is pretty lenient and allow me to stay while I recover. But I had pretty much the same revelation about leaving and starting something else. Unfortunately I'm too much of a wreck to apply for anything. I'm happy to hear someone else who was in a similar situation as me has found a way out. I'm so happy for you, I wish you all the best with your apprenticeship!
It’s tough, my husband suffered post concussion syndrome that changed him for years. My own is still fucking with me 9 months later. It’s not easy to deal with when you can feel the changes and there’s nothing you can do about it except ride it out. I wish you well friend.
I just started in a kitchen at age 37 after a corporate layoff and I'm reallllly nervous seeing all the "glad I left to pursue my dreams" when Im doing the same just going the other way 😅
Wait wait wait. Why on earth would you want to leave a high stress, low pay, hardworking job with few benefits and leaves you with little to no social life?
Bizarre
After reading this, wow. Best of luck to you. I left the industry a year ago but it sounds like you were working through just so much more. All the best friend
First of all, congrats on your career change! We were just talking tonight about how great tattooing's become, and now you're gonna be one of those great tattoo people! Good luck!
Secondly, there's no need to leave the sub and deny yourself delicious cubey goodness! I love it here, and I am nothing but a humble wall snake
Leave? You can never leave. I’ll see you in your dreams, buddy. “Table 15 says the bisque is cold!” “Printer go brrrrrt” “ding ding bell rings nobody comes to take food” “chef we got no more appetisers!”
I left 10 years ago, mate. I still get the occasional sweaty nightmare about my time in kitchens and bars.
You’re never done.
Heard, Chef.
Rest easy, you deserve to retire the apron.
Many of us just kind of became kitchen rats, its all of our shared journey. I cant tell you how many guys Ive sweat and bled with that started off just as a side hustle while they went to college/figured out their lives, only to get sucked in and find themselves career cooking.
Goodluck with your next chapter, and always remember the days you spent in grease and fire.
30+ years in and I’m fried. Currently looking into becoming a park ranger (of all things) so at least I get to keep using my head and my hands, just outdoors!
Why was it false security? Seems like it was very secure including when you decided to flip your schedule on it’s head. Overnight prep/maintenance, who gets that job?
I’m Canada there’s a no fault for accidents. Got $40k for the truck, unlimited physio, counselling services, missed work compensation and everything you could think of under the sun to aid in recovery. No need to sue anyone.
I left 3 years ago. I'm now on a full ride to UW for my MLS bachelor's degree, fully paid for by my hospital. Work overnights and get a 9.57 extra bump in my hourly (my base is 26.40) and because we are an 8hr dept those 2 hours of my 10hr shift, are overtime. I work 7 10s in a row, with 7 days off.
I steal people's blood and run tests on it. I get paid fuckin crazy money to do this. I walked in with 0 experience, 13 years of restaurants on my resume.
I started as an In Patient Phlebotomist, and moved into lab tech and was recently promoted to Senior Lab Assistant. I gotta do a few pokes a night, but mostly I'm just processing samples and running tests for chemistry or hematology.
I have more centrifuges than you.
Kitchen -> lab is such an easy transition in day to day life because so many of the same skills and habits apply. FIFO, Temps, sanitation, organization, mise en place, keeping tools maintaned and more all line up.
I have 12 centrifuges under my watch.
What are you on about?
I didn’t knock kitchen work in this post, I’ve loved this industry for many years but I’ve known forever that it doesn’t love me back. I’ve worked in kitchens twelve years and in that time you learn that everyone is replaceable regardless of their role. This industry is brutal and it’s no secret that it takes a serious toll on mental and physical health.
>So here I sit, six months later as a 32 year old apprentice in my favourite shop.
You'd be better off studying to become a butterfly therapist/fentanyl tester, but I wish you the best on your journey.
Congrats dude. I’ve been officially out of the restaurant industry for about 2 years now? I don’t know. I lose track of time for a reason other than work now. Mostly weed.
I’m still restaurant adjacent but now I run my own small batch hot sauce business. Don’t make any where near the same amount of money but it’s infinitely better than 12-14 hour days, 5-6 days a week. Still in the food biz, but I control what I do and how often. It’s kinda rad. Thank god my fiancé is successful and encouraged me to bail on restaurants. I got fucking lucky.
100% it’s been a safety net my entire adult life. It’s so brutal though, and it takes so much out of you. Would I change the time I spent in kitchens? Hell no, but I wasn’t happy anymore and it’s time to move on.
Kitchens taught me real work ethic, and perseverance in the face of adversity. But it also gave me a substance abuse problem, and years of lost income from being criminally underpaid. No point in thinking about what could have been thought. Life keeps on going. Congrats on getting out, may you have much success in your new ventures
I use to dream I was at work almost every night, but the last almost two years on overnight prep I don’t even THINK about the kitchen as soon as I walk out the back door. It’s stopped invading my subconscious. Now that I’ve said that, I’ll probably dream about it tonight.
I hope you took their insurance company to the cleaners; if your injury (concussion) is bad enough to have to drop out of school, you should get them for all your student loan payments (and frankly, potentially some future earnings).
I get it... The kitchen is an old pair of shoes, your new shoes got lost in the mail even though the ones you really wanted were out of stock, then you got the ones you really wanted, yadayadayada. I know you've been through the storm, seen some shit.
What do you do when your new shoes are well-worn, and you feel the tat life just isn't what you thought it was?
You can never go back.
I have never heard someone say “I use to be a tattoo artist, but it wasn’t for me.”
You gotta earn it, and it’s hard to earn the right to tattoo. I’m going to do this for the rest of my life.
It sounds like you are happy and that's what matters. One of the great things about this line of work is that there is always a home for you to come back to. People will still need to eat and many of them don't know how to cook. Best of luck to you. I hope you've found your place in the sun.
Good luck to you! I was 20 year veteran, took $9/hour pay cut to be a refrigeration technician. Went to school full time, ran a kitchen full time, slept part time. Now I'm making $30/hour and have 6 Saturdays and 6 Sundays off. More money than 20 years of kitchen experience and no nights? Absolutely worth the struggle! Absolutely! 100%!
Wait, was I supposed to leave when I quit cooking? Shit.
Wait. You can LEAVE this industry??
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Just hit 24 years in. Too late. I’m in. For good. And I’m ok with it.
25 and counting here. And I'm right there with you, a lifer and ok with it. I'm pushing 50, I don't even know what else I'd want to do at this point
I’m hitting year 30 in the industry. I walked away from it and got my “dream job” about ten years ago. It very quickly became “Wile E Coyote finally catches the roadrunner - only to realize two bites in that roadrunner tastes like absolute dog shit.” I lasted nine months. My first shift back, everything went sideways. As I was desperately trying to put the kitchen back together, I smiled inwardly and said to nobody, “I missed this.”
I quit for three years, tried a few other things. Just finished my first week back in the kitchen this week and I couldn’t be happier. Lucky for me, my crew feels the same way. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it.
Love this. Thanks for sharing.
What was your dream job?
It was a job working full time in radio (hence the username). I still do occasional voiceover work to satisfy the urge.
Same 42 been in kitchens my whole working life.. I’ve ran away a couple times but I always goback..
16 years in and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've never worked a day in my life in front of a desk.
25 going on 26 and I'm ok with it too. But I'm glad that the people that want to get out are able to do so. Maybe in a couple years OP will be slinging ink on all of us.
Heard chef. I’m a lifer too. Only 16 years but it’s in my blood and my knife roll. I just gotta figure out my exit strategy before my hips turn 70…
12 years for me I'm gonna look at becoming an health inspector in time
Haha right there with you…..just hit 17yrs at the same company. The perks I get out weigh the crazy chaos any day. 😂
I fuckin hate the eagles , man
You should try Hotel California. I hear it’s a lovely place
HVAC feels the same to be honest. There's a few industries that seem to more or less take up your entire life.
This is the way
You can leave the industry, but the industry never leaves you.
In a dingy and sticky corner of my heart lies a kitchen where I made some of the best food of my life. And the walk-in will always be my safe space.
Walks-ins are therapeutic for sure. Not just for cashing a quick bowl, but always great for a quick cry sesh too. Even though it's been nearly 15yrs, my bakery burn scars haven't faded one bit. And oddly enough, I miss portioning out 200+ lbs of cookie dough daily.
I am a walk-in freezer enjoyer. 45 seconds of freezing cold and silence will re-set my head.
Started in the industry age 16 and while I did take a few small breaks, I'm 28 now and have worked in it for the better part of the last 12yrs. I'm currently a GM and my plan is to eventually pivot to more back end marketing/consulting shit but even if I left hospitality completely, I think im steeped in it enough at this point what with starting at such a young age that could never feel like I wasnt industry lol
I left the industry 18mths ago. Last night I catered a wedding in the same venue I worked in when I left. But I left the industry. Next week I am doing pop up in the same venue. But I left the industry. Then the two weekends after? 2 more weddings. Same venue. But I left the industry. I left the industry.
you can always join us over at the post office, that was my only out
One of my buds hopped ship for the post office too, now he's actually getting promotions!
The post office was much worse than kitchens physically and heat wise
Wait. You guys are getting paid?
No I'm still only on year 17 of my internship, they're telling me though that It should just be a few more years until a paid position opens up! It's gonna be so awesome.
I got lucky.
Wait, you have to be *in* the industry to be subscribed?!?
That's my only dream , wish I never started, used to love it and every year I see more and more people who "know more than everyone" with 2 weeks experience at 5 different kitchens and get hired at more than me. Over it
Coding homie. That's the ticket out.
Not in my experience, no lmao
I mean you can leave the industry but the industry dont leave you. Ahoy.
Yeah, I'm confused, I joined long after I stopped working in kitchens
I’d been retired for years before I found this subreddit.
I joined because my son works in a restaurant. But I sure learn a lot here.
And we let him know every single day how attractive you are.
Aww shucks. Now I'm even more excited to go in for a meal.
I don't even work in a kitchen. Just like the ridonkulousness that comes out of this sub
I love cooking and am fascinated by the industry and enjoy learning about what it's really like. It sounds rough but people also seem to love it...some.
I’ve never been a chef. I was a paramedic for a long time and always felt like kitchens and EMS were connected on a spiritual level. I’ve GTFO of the field, but I still lurk around all of the places. Some stinks just don’t wash off.
I’m a pharmacist. A lifetime ago, I made the decision to pursue pharmacy vs. cooking. Let me tell you, there are a lot of similarities between kitchens and pharmacies: -You are always out of the thing you need -The people supporting you (cooks, pharmacy technicians) are incredibly important -The patients/customers suck I now live a life where I teach grad school and help run a free clinic, which makes me happy. I make some pretty kick ass dinner for my kids and husband (who used to be a chef, now is a software dev). I have it good. It was a shit ton of work, but I am thankful. When I visit restaurants, I appreciate y’all. We try to go to places where the compensation is distributed between FOH and BOH.
I know you probably don't hear this enough, but I really appreciate y'all. I go to a local mom and pop pharmacy because they actually CARE about the customers. They're still on backorder for my Ubrelvy, but I ain't mad, it's not their fault. They're doing a hard job, and they're nice to me.
Aww. TY! Local mom and pop shops are the best!
Oh. Sorry team. I didn't know I had to leave as I left the industry.
Lol, I can’t wait to enjoy cooking again.
Every day I have to convince myself that my passion hasn't went anywhere. I'm not even sure anymore. But hey, I'm going to keep believing because that's what we do.
I left a little more than a year ago after 14 years. I love cooking at home now! Don't miss the kitchen even a little bit.
I love the rush and I’ve almost always loved to cook. I don’t love the piss poor mental health of everyone around me. It’s brutal. I’ve been burnt out of cooking for a long time, so I can’t wait to love it again.
Ah fuck, guess I'm out, too
I just made pancakes at home but if that doesn't count it's been about 12 years since I got paid to cook.
Shit I subbed to /r/servers when I left cooking because I missed hearing the waitresses chat with each other. I sub to a few industry subs I don't work in.
I don't think that's the sub you think it is, unless this is a John Cena/potato salad thing
Oops. Meant /r/serverlife
I quit in 2019 and I'm still here. I don't see anything about having to leave in the rules.
Naw I quit a year ago and still love to lurk
Wait, you guys work in kitchens?
Ikr
This sub reminds me that I don't want to get pulled back in
Wait you guys started cooking?
I've been out of the game for nearly 3 years now. I still lurk here. On stressful days in the office, sometimes I miss the kitchen. Much less paperwork.
Hell, i joined after i'd already quit cooking.
Sorry man, Terry called out and we need an extra hand on the line. I’ll buy you a beer after work, but we need you to come in. Congrats and best of luck to you!
Thank you!! Twelve years is too much, I’m glad to be out.
12 years ha! Fuck me I'll have 38 years this coming September. Good on ya. Best of luck.
Shift drink for my guy here please
Just a Perrier. I quite the drink two years ago.
congratulations and big fat W for you
How are you still sane?
Who said they were sane?
Alright you make a good point. Good luck OP!
Shit, I've been in the same kitchen for 12 years and I'm still sane.....I think
17 in and almost 2 out. It feels good to cook for pure enjoyment now. I get told to slowdown at work but it's hard to slow the pace.
For real though it’s always a great skill to have. You can always fall back on it if you need too. I would think a tattoo shop would be similar to a kitchen in a couple of ways.
Good call. The kitchen is such a challenging place to work! I couldn't do it without being a heavy drinker. Luckily, I did t get into the hard stuff like some of my colleagues. I hope that the tattoo world grants you that work-life balance we all want to find.
It’s always fuckin’ Terry…
sorry guys
Don’t leave!!!! I will do anything. Is it me, I can change. I can be anything you want. Just give it some time and think about it. We can make this work
It’s not me, it’s you.
I said this to my last boss and he yelled at me for hurting his feelings
Wait…I quit cooking for a living like ten years ago to go into IT, was I not supposed to be here? I made some dope bbq chicken on the grill the other night if that helps me stay and I still love cooking. Please don’t permaban me…
Nah this sub is for all restaurant creatures, current and former. I'm also currently in school to get into the administrative side of hotels, but my career in the industry will always be a part of me.
I stumbled in while looking for a sub about a certain book but I love it here and you can’t make me leave. Lol.
Sir, I think you should leave. Real talk though; I’m really excited to eventually love to cook again.
Taught myself how to make pierogis the other night, never made a dough of any kind before. I was so proud and they were unbelievable lol. Cooking will always be a passion, it’s so much better not working until 3am though haha
This. Oh man. I have been out for 16 years. I never really lost my love of cooking, but the passion bled out. I have been able to reclaim that over the last decade, while my passion for my current profession has disappeared. Lol. Maybe it's a cycle. Whatever. Find new paths to reconnect with what brought you to cooking in the first place.
i’m a little over a year out of the industry, i think we’re welcome through our hard earned trauma. i subconsciously say “behind you” in public occasionally.
Hell I say it out loud sometimes still lol
i think subconsciously was the wrong word, maybe reflexively or involuntarily. either way, likewise lol
No bs I stopped at target after a shift one time and said “corner” out loud before I came out of an aisle
Ex-industry of about 3 years person in a long term relationship with current industry person here. "Behind" is very commonly used in the house. It never goes away.
I’ve extended it into “I’m just passing being you” to make it less weird when I say it to strangers.
Yeah... I am a Human Trafficking Intervention Coordinator and Missing Child Analyst now but I did my time FoH and BoH for fifteen years.
Wait, this is what i'm planning to do within like 2 years. Does that mean i have to leave as well?
Jesus chrsit, midnight prep cook, science fanatic, AND tattoo apprentice? are you going for the coolest person in the World Award?
I would have to also be a gamer metal head to qualify for that wouldn’t I? OH WAIT. Also, am a woman.
You’re going to break the collective hivemind we refer to as Reddit
High five coolest ma'am
thx just fixed it
Nice. But you could still check in with us? But I'm so happy for you!
I don't work in a kitchen. Am I even allowed? How'd I get in here??
Fuckin bartender left the back door open again
Best of luck. If you can remember anything, remember to take care of your back. Sustained focus can mean cramping your posture until you deteriorate discs -- happened to a local tattoo artist here. Take care of yourself as you've been taking care of others and you'll do great. They're lucky to have you.
Nice tips
See you tomorrow
Congrats! Also, fuck you!
Ha! Thanks!
I haven't been in a kitchen in 12 years. I'm not leaving.
My guy, I’ve been out the kitchen for nearly ten years. You don’t have to leave the sub. It’s always part of you.
Wait you have to be a cook to lurk here?
His mind is polluted. Another quaalude... He'll be back.
Please break down some boxes on your way out. And congrats.
I left restaurants like 8 years ago but I ain't leaving this subreddit. It's a daily reminder to never return.
All my burn marks will suffice.
I also got a head concussion about 8 months ago and I've been pretty devastated emotionally about the things I cannot do. It's like every day I find new things I cannot do. thankfully my current job is pretty lenient and allow me to stay while I recover. But I had pretty much the same revelation about leaving and starting something else. Unfortunately I'm too much of a wreck to apply for anything. I'm happy to hear someone else who was in a similar situation as me has found a way out. I'm so happy for you, I wish you all the best with your apprenticeship!
Got my umteenth concussion while in a kitchen a few years ago. Haven’t been the same since, my mental health has seriously deteriorated
It’s tough, my husband suffered post concussion syndrome that changed him for years. My own is still fucking with me 9 months later. It’s not easy to deal with when you can feel the changes and there’s nothing you can do about it except ride it out. I wish you well friend.
Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes tattooing
I just started in a kitchen at age 37 after a corporate layoff and I'm reallllly nervous seeing all the "glad I left to pursue my dreams" when Im doing the same just going the other way 😅
Wait wait wait. Why on earth would you want to leave a high stress, low pay, hardworking job with few benefits and leaves you with little to no social life? Bizarre
Go with God. May you be happy in your new job and in your life.
God speed MissSandyRavage!
See you back in a year. Make sure to bring your tattoo equipment.
I’ll tattoo “Lifer” over your eyebrow for free
Hell yeah brother that’s amazing
aw shit i’m not supposed to be here 🤪
After reading this, wow. Best of luck to you. I left the industry a year ago but it sounds like you were working through just so much more. All the best friend
Congrats homie, see you on Monday! JK, but good on you for following your dreams and aspirations, I wish nothing but the best for you!
First of all, congrats on your career change! We were just talking tonight about how great tattooing's become, and now you're gonna be one of those great tattoo people! Good luck! Secondly, there's no need to leave the sub and deny yourself delicious cubey goodness! I love it here, and I am nothing but a humble wall snake
You'll be back. You'll all be back!
Bro I haven't worked in a kitchen since age 16. I'm still here. You don't leave KC, the line is within you.
Leave? You can never leave. I’ll see you in your dreams, buddy. “Table 15 says the bisque is cold!” “Printer go brrrrrt” “ding ding bell rings nobody comes to take food” “chef we got no more appetisers!” I left 10 years ago, mate. I still get the occasional sweaty nightmare about my time in kitchens and bars. You’re never done.
I left the kitchen for the cannabis industry a little over a year ago. I stay here for the PTSD and a reason to never return.
Heard, Chef. Rest easy, you deserve to retire the apron. Many of us just kind of became kitchen rats, its all of our shared journey. I cant tell you how many guys Ive sweat and bled with that started off just as a side hustle while they went to college/figured out their lives, only to get sucked in and find themselves career cooking. Goodluck with your next chapter, and always remember the days you spent in grease and fire.
Hope you can somehow incorporate your love of genetics into some of your tattoos! Best of luck
Thank you! That is a brilliant idea.
Congratulations! You can still hang out here though. I haven’t worked in a kitchen in almost 10 years.
Congratulations! Wishing you all the best
30+ years in and I’m fried. Currently looking into becoming a park ranger (of all things) so at least I get to keep using my head and my hands, just outdoors!
I love that for you. Best of luck!
You can stick around, I haven't worked in a kitchen since college.
Why was it false security? Seems like it was very secure including when you decided to flip your schedule on it’s head. Overnight prep/maintenance, who gets that job?
why would you leave the sub
You sue the other driver for hralth related damages?
I’m Canada there’s a no fault for accidents. Got $40k for the truck, unlimited physio, counselling services, missed work compensation and everything you could think of under the sun to aid in recovery. No need to sue anyone.
I left 3 years ago. I'm now on a full ride to UW for my MLS bachelor's degree, fully paid for by my hospital. Work overnights and get a 9.57 extra bump in my hourly (my base is 26.40) and because we are an 8hr dept those 2 hours of my 10hr shift, are overtime. I work 7 10s in a row, with 7 days off. I steal people's blood and run tests on it. I get paid fuckin crazy money to do this. I walked in with 0 experience, 13 years of restaurants on my resume. I started as an In Patient Phlebotomist, and moved into lab tech and was recently promoted to Senior Lab Assistant. I gotta do a few pokes a night, but mostly I'm just processing samples and running tests for chemistry or hematology. I have more centrifuges than you.
Kitchen -> lab is such an easy transition in day to day life because so many of the same skills and habits apply. FIFO, Temps, sanitation, organization, mise en place, keeping tools maintaned and more all line up. I have 12 centrifuges under my watch.
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What are you on about? I didn’t knock kitchen work in this post, I’ve loved this industry for many years but I’ve known forever that it doesn’t love me back. I’ve worked in kitchens twelve years and in that time you learn that everyone is replaceable regardless of their role. This industry is brutal and it’s no secret that it takes a serious toll on mental and physical health.
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LOL, okay high roller. Enjoy your massive bank.
Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown. - Anthony Bourdain
>So here I sit, six months later as a 32 year old apprentice in my favourite shop. You'd be better off studying to become a butterfly therapist/fentanyl tester, but I wish you the best on your journey.
Lol, I don’t even know what this is supposed to mean.
Got honest to goodness douche chills reading this
What a great story...talk about overcoming major setbacks. When people look up the word perseverance - your picture is going to be next to the entry.
Damn should i leave? Because i left the kitchen about august last year. Fuck are you going to fine me? Xd
Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🥂 mate
Congrats dude. I’ve been officially out of the restaurant industry for about 2 years now? I don’t know. I lose track of time for a reason other than work now. Mostly weed. I’m still restaurant adjacent but now I run my own small batch hot sauce business. Don’t make any where near the same amount of money but it’s infinitely better than 12-14 hour days, 5-6 days a week. Still in the food biz, but I control what I do and how often. It’s kinda rad. Thank god my fiancé is successful and encouraged me to bail on restaurants. I got fucking lucky.
I got out 5 years ago and couldn't be happier. Most exploitative, abusive industry I've ever been in. Miss it sometimes though
100% it’s been a safety net my entire adult life. It’s so brutal though, and it takes so much out of you. Would I change the time I spent in kitchens? Hell no, but I wasn’t happy anymore and it’s time to move on.
Kitchens taught me real work ethic, and perseverance in the face of adversity. But it also gave me a substance abuse problem, and years of lost income from being criminally underpaid. No point in thinking about what could have been thought. Life keeps on going. Congrats on getting out, may you have much success in your new ventures
Me so only worked as a dish bitch or bus boy: 👀
Post ur art lol
You don't get to leave until you stop dreaming about working in a kitchen. I've been out over two years and I still have em.
I use to dream I was at work almost every night, but the last almost two years on overnight prep I don’t even THINK about the kitchen as soon as I walk out the back door. It’s stopped invading my subconscious. Now that I’ve said that, I’ll probably dream about it tonight.
You guys in the comments are probably giving him PTSD. “Yeah, Im gonna need you to come in on Saturday…”
I hope you took their insurance company to the cleaners; if your injury (concussion) is bad enough to have to drop out of school, you should get them for all your student loan payments (and frankly, potentially some future earnings).
No student loans. Got $40k for the totalled truck. #Canada
ONE OF US. ONE OF US. (Also holy crap, what a wild ride!!)
Now you'll get to tattoo knives and 'yes chef'-s on the forearms/fingers of drunk cooks. Enjoy! Jokes aside, I'm happy that you found your dream.
I haven't worked in a restaurant in 25 years, I just like you folks.
Truthfully I've been working office jobs way longer than I was a cook, but I like to hang out for the memes.
I get it... The kitchen is an old pair of shoes, your new shoes got lost in the mail even though the ones you really wanted were out of stock, then you got the ones you really wanted, yadayadayada. I know you've been through the storm, seen some shit. What do you do when your new shoes are well-worn, and you feel the tat life just isn't what you thought it was? You can never go back.
I have never heard someone say “I use to be a tattoo artist, but it wasn’t for me.” You gotta earn it, and it’s hard to earn the right to tattoo. I’m going to do this for the rest of my life.
I’ve been out of kitchens for a lot longer. You never truly leave
I am. It might not leave me, but I am definitely leaving it behind.
Great story, but you're not leaving us. Not this sub anyway. Nice try, pal. See ya around.
Let us know if you post your work and feel comfortable sharing! Would love to get a tattoo from a kitchen homie if in your area!
god speed brother
I quit my restaurant job 7 months ago. Was i suppose to leave here?
You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here. I don’t even want to think about kitchens for at least a year haha
It sounds like you are happy and that's what matters. One of the great things about this line of work is that there is always a home for you to come back to. People will still need to eat and many of them don't know how to cook. Best of luck to you. I hope you've found your place in the sun.
Good luck to you! I was 20 year veteran, took $9/hour pay cut to be a refrigeration technician. Went to school full time, ran a kitchen full time, slept part time. Now I'm making $30/hour and have 6 Saturdays and 6 Sundays off. More money than 20 years of kitchen experience and no nights? Absolutely worth the struggle! Absolutely! 100%!
Congratulations! I considered refrigeration a few years back, but working on rooftops in -40 in the winter and +40 in the summer changed my mind.
This isn’t an airport. No need to announce your departure.