1/31/06
Lots of different types of people work in food service. It’s crazy how the
spectrum is so wide. My coworkers are all fabulous and I love them very
much because they work their butts off and still have time to go get a beer
with you. They are what make work colorful. Since you will never meet them
all I will tell you about them by category.
THE STARVING ARTISTS
These are your musicians and artists that work there because what they
really love isn’t paying the bills. They’re kinda weird and quirky but they
are sweethearts. Take my buddy Jeremy, after my chef didn’t…see the beauty
of a plate presentation I did he saved the day by calling it a Jackson
Pollack so chef said I didn’t have to redo it.
THE ILLIEGAL ALIENS
These are the dishwashers, prep cooks, and busboys. Great guys who somehow
manage to do a great job while not speaking a lick of English (which means
when there is a real problem I usually get pulled into conference to
translate) These guys are called “amigos” and their names are Americanized
or screwed up. Esteban becomes Stevie and Cirilo becomes Cirilio. Their
instructions are funny to hear as a bilingual person but somehow understand.
A request to sweep the floor becomes:
“Stevie por favor escobar el piso Wey!”
Translation: Stevie please broom the floor dude!
STONERS
These are the people that have habits and basically work to support it. 3
out of 5 of theses people belong in one of the other categories also but I
had to isolate this. They are very mellow until the mention of a drug test.
Then you can see them get a little antsy. These people have been known to
quit on the spot.
CHEFS OR CHEFS IN TRAINING
There are two subcategories in this one. Academically trained and trained on
site. Either way their both great, except that those who have been to
school have a little more attitude.
PLAN “C”ERS
These are people that basically don’t know how they ended up there and there
fore are bitter. They love to tell you what isn’t their job to do and what
their real dream is. I just want to say, “Look your 40, if you haven’t done
it by now your chances are getting smaller by the minute. Go pursue your
dream or shut the hell up and go get more fruit salad.”
CONVICTED FELONS
The weirdest thing about these people is that you’d never guess until they
told you. I always thought I’d be terrified of someone who was convicted of
13 counts of attempted murder, but I’m not. Now you know me- I’d only win a
fight if I fought dirty but this guy gave me no funny feelings. One slow
night on the 9pm – 7 am shift with not a soul in sight he told me the story
of his incarceration over a cup of coffee.
He inspired me and so did the Mexican who swam across a river and went
without food for weeks in order to come here and wash dirty dishes. My
advice this week comes from O’Henry and upon hearing it I knew it would be
advice I’d carry for life.
Everyone is worth knowing.
About to clock in,
andiepandie31
