Years ago, and for many years, I worked in commercial kitchens. There was a definite pecking order among the many casual staff who came and went at all hours of the day and night, doing different jobs or types of work. These jobs were jealously guarded and not to be lost to some new comer.
When they reached executive level, many chefs brought trusted staff with them. Previously employed 'casuals' could lose their spot if the new top dog didn't want to keep them on. One's reputation was known to the new boss before he arrived to take up his new position.
In the kitchen I started in, one of the older lady’s disposition was not very friendly at the best of times. This woman worked many hours in various venues. Everyone knew her, or of her, she was the one everyone tip toed around as she would soon show her displeasure about things she didn't like.
Fortunately, I managed to stay on the right side of her. One day she asked me to work her hours at another venue while she had a break. She was pleased I helped her hold her job.
Another time she recommended me to a very cranky chef who promptly got rid of staff he didn't like for various reasons. Being slow was one of the worst offences. He would spin like a top, so I learnt to duck and weave and spin like a top too. We could cook and serve 300 meals in two hours. Sometimes the customers would stand and watch the crazy pace we worked at.
I was pleased when I was recommended to bigger, better jobs. Sent to the Melbourne Show, one year I offered ‘our older misery’ a bed at my Nan's home, nearby, from where we could walk to and from work. I made her breakfast, in bed, and she was astonished, "no one had ever done that before". I don't know what her family did! My mum said "you reap what you sow"
A co-worker who worked serving days only, after a long time of being part of the team, developed breast cancer and as many will know, was going through hell on earth. She insisted on working as long as she could, so I would pick her up and drive her home afterwards.
I don't know what happened, or was said to cause the upset, but one day our older misery made my cancer stricken pal distressed, and she cried.
I was incensed and told my husband the tale. "Just give her the cold shoulder" he advised, so I did. Our older misery would then follow me around to ask what was news in the kitchen. I think she was oblivious to the affect she had on people.
We worked on for years after that, seeing each other here and there, but I never quite forgave her for upsetting my sick friend.
When they reached executive level, many chefs brought trusted staff with them. Previously employed 'casuals' could lose their spot if the new top dog didn't want to keep them on. One's reputation was known to the new boss before he arrived to take up his new position.
In the kitchen I started in, one of the older lady’s disposition was not very friendly at the best of times. This woman worked many hours in various venues. Everyone knew her, or of her, she was the one everyone tip toed around as she would soon show her displeasure about things she didn't like.
Fortunately, I managed to stay on the right side of her. One day she asked me to work her hours at another venue while she had a break. She was pleased I helped her hold her job.
Another time she recommended me to a very cranky chef who promptly got rid of staff he didn't like for various reasons. Being slow was one of the worst offences. He would spin like a top, so I learnt to duck and weave and spin like a top too. We could cook and serve 300 meals in two hours. Sometimes the customers would stand and watch the crazy pace we worked at.
I was pleased when I was recommended to bigger, better jobs. Sent to the Melbourne Show, one year I offered ‘our older misery’ a bed at my Nan's home, nearby, from where we could walk to and from work. I made her breakfast, in bed, and she was astonished, "no one had ever done that before". I don't know what her family did! My mum said "you reap what you sow"
A co-worker who worked serving days only, after a long time of being part of the team, developed breast cancer and as many will know, was going through hell on earth. She insisted on working as long as she could, so I would pick her up and drive her home afterwards.
I don't know what happened, or was said to cause the upset, but one day our older misery made my cancer stricken pal distressed, and she cried.
I was incensed and told my husband the tale. "Just give her the cold shoulder" he advised, so I did. Our older misery would then follow me around to ask what was news in the kitchen. I think she was oblivious to the affect she had on people.
We worked on for years after that, seeing each other here and there, but I never quite forgave her for upsetting my sick friend.