A Happier Take on the Restaurant Industry

"Watch your back," a head chef said to me, when I was cutting and rolling dough. It was a literal statement. At my back was flame, slashing knives, and people running by with heavy loads and fragile glassware.

But since it was spoken to me in a kind way (by a guy who I was once told wanted me fired), I took it to heart, choosing to believe he meant it sentimentally as well.

One does have to watch their back in the restaurant industry, where chisme (gossip) spreads like wildfire. And one big mistake could cost you your job.

But, also, money talks. The restaurant world is a net positive. I'm making money and not spending money. On tried and true weekend days. Sometimes holidays. This stipulation prevents many people from joining the industry alltogether. Many are unwilling to kiss goodbye their weekend fun. Understandable.

But I secretly love it. And do still have fun. During and after.

Living in a city, there's a certain pressure one feels on weekends to do something of note. Socialize! Go out! Spend $$$. I know from personal experience that if you just want to have a recharge day, you'll hear what sounds like everyone else living it up around you while you're watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and eating PB&J from a cast iron pan. OR, if you succumb to the pressure, you'll likely dish out a lot of money, use up your entire social battery, and get alcohol spilled on your fancy outfit.

Working at a restaurant, some of these same things still happen, but I'm wearing an apron and making money. What of it?

I also tend to choose restaurants (or breweries) that treat their products like art. And have a signature style. Now when I dine at home, I try to present my food and drinks in ways that make them more appealing, even if it’s a snack. I have the restaurant industry to thank for a lot of my inspiration on ingredients to choose, and steps to follow or not. Gets my creative juices flowing which, not gonna lie, was the original reason I wanted to go into this industry.

A little at home snack

I was told recently by a friend that they spotted me on Linkedin open to work as a counselor and a bartender/server. They said employers might negatively view the combo and recommended I take down the restaurant part.

While this is good advice, it instead brought out my defensive nature. Not at her, but at the inherent truth behind it, in society.

Why would being in the restaurant industry be a bad look? It automatically implies that my Spanish is proficient, I am a team player, I know how to be hospitable as well as presentable, and I work hard in a fiery environment.

I have been told in the past that I'm generous to fault. In the restaurant industry, I can apply that natural instinct to patrons, as well as my constant urge to clean things (as messy as I might seem to some).

Even when I'm simply doing my job, guests thank me like I’m donating blood.

They are the people going out on the weekends, dressed to the nines, preparing to spend. And if they happen to come to the restaurant I work at, I want them to have a fantastic freakin’ time. And a spotless table.

And if they do get alcohol spilled on them before the end of the night, it won't be by me. ;)