Closing a Chapter

Friday was my last day at Piperade. It was a bittersweet moment as I left knowing I was now a chef without a kitchen. No more experimenting with family meal, no more rush, no more getting slammed, no more late night beers, no more talking dirty to all the spanish speaking workers, no more being with my latin family. I also knew that this was a much needed break. I worked 3 straight 6 day weeks and I needed a break. More than a break, I needed to get shit done for the wedding. And of course, I needed to post here =)

So what do I take with me from Piperade?
- Line cooking is always the easiest part of the job, no matter how slammed you get.
- Babysitting is the least fun job in the world, and it only gets worse as the age of the babies gets higher.
- Talk to your cooks directly, not down to them. They may not understand every word of english, but they can understand your piss-poor body language and tone when you talk down to them.
- Do more than you have to, especially if it will make their lives easier. Your work ethic will make them return to you with 100% loyalty and respect.
- Linguistics are a minute detail. Actions mean so much more in the kitchen.
- The less "work" you do, the less "fun" you have, and the more "food" you eat
- Leadership is about doing the right thing for the customer, your employees, and the business - in that order.
- Never call out your employees in public.
- Some sales reps will do ANYTHING to get your business. Some will say anything to stick you with stuff you don't need or want.
- Defrost your walkins and freezers regularly.
- The more natural light your kitchen lets in, the longer you can cook when the power goes out.
- Schedule regular pipe cleanings.
- Less is almost always more.
- Listening and following instructions are critical life skills.
- Tempers and words are forgotten, poise and composure stay with you forever.
- The more people talk, the less they know.
- The food speaks for itself. Excuses and justifications don't belong on the same plate.
- If you play, play to win, not to not lose.
- Enthusiasm, determination, and heart can take you very far.
- CCA really does mean Can't Cook Anything.

So what's next? Well, I have a little time on my hands and we can get together now. Who wants to do lunch? Mary, you are on my calendar as a must visit. When can I come?
And, when can we finally do these dinners we keep talking about? I guess you could say I'm sponsoring the first one at the end of the month ;) Who's next? haha