Chefs On Drugs
Saw this article on The Daily Beast website and wanted to share.
Any thoughts?
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15 Comments:
Duh!
Here's the website:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-21/the-addicts-in-the-kitchen/
QueenAlli at 9:33PM on 07/22/09
When I worked in the kitchen I was around lots of heavy drinking but never during work hours. People would just be hung over during work hours. It's a stressful job that requires lots of intense energy and focus.
gingercookiewithlime at 9:48PM on 07/22/09
Not shocking having read Kitchen Confidential. Plus his theory makes sense, people who are willing to try a broad range of foods are also likely willing to try a broad range of substances. The crazy hours probably adds to it too...and unlike the wait staff, you don't have to speak to the customers.
ChiefHDB at 10:35PM on 07/22/09
I've worked in many a kitchen where smoking pot was the norm, especially when the cooks (the guys who did this were definitely cooks, not chefs) wanted to relax for a busy service. But then again, I've never worked in a particularly nice restaurant. As front-of-house staff in at least two places, drinking was accepted and even encouraged. I always got better tips as an inebriated waitress. Go figure.
unpocojmoney at 10:39PM on 07/22/09
When I was in Culinary school, I was literally the only one who didn't abuse drugs (illegal or prescription) or alcohol. Maybe because by the time I went, I was just too old to bother with that foolishness. Every kitchen I've worked in had at least one "self-medicator." Once, during a kitchen class (with the school baord of trustees in the dining room), our "chef-professor" (and I use that term loosely) allowed two very obviously intoxicated students to continually pop pills during service and remain in class. Most recently, I worked for a cake decorator who routinely came in drunk (and off her meds). Needless to say, $8/hr wasn't enough to get me to stay working there.
beth1 at 11:06PM on 07/22/09
It's such a high-intesity job thats really stessful with long hours.
The stats dont surpirse me whatsoever.
I worked in FOH for six years and became super close with the BOH--it was apparent they really knew how to party! Not to mention their great taste in music. This doesn't mean I find a chef on drugs acceptable...wouldn't want any powder falling into my salad ahaha
hungrychristel at 9:53AM on 07/23/09
@hungry - Why not? It might give the dish the kick it needs. ; )
I have to agree with the article. I've worked in restaurants off and on for 20 years. If I want drugs...I know exactly where to look for them.
arm1970 at 10:07AM on 07/23/09
name a workplace where you CAN'T find drugs.
gastronomeg at 10:46AM on 07/23/09
In my limited foh restaurant work, plus the numerous friends I have who used to/still work in boh ... this sounds about right.
joyyy at 11:20AM on 07/23/09
@arm - ah yes the secret ingredient may surprise your next dining experience LOL
hungrychristel at 12:03PM on 07/23/09
The kitchen is always the first place one goes if they want drugs. Myself, no. It tried once to wait on people after doing a few shots through the course of the evening. It was way too hard. Expect a lot of servers are hung over on Sat. and Sunday mornings, however.
Barbieri13 at 12:25PM on 07/23/09
We own a small apt. complex. 5 out of 8 units are rented by restaurant people (3 cooks), 2 are rented by hotel workers. Out of these 7 renters there is ONE person drives a car. Just too many DWI, DUI and suspended licenses. The one driver has to blow into a breatholizer (sp?) in order to start the car. When DH owned a bar/restaurant about 15 years ago he had to fire a few employees due to doing drugs while working. His best chef was always loaded and turned out some really good food. My father in law owed a restaurant about 30 years ago and he said pretty much nothing has changed and can't see it changing in the future. His opinion is don't ask and turn your head unless it interferes with business and he is the most conservative person you will ever meet!
finsbigfan at 12:41PM on 07/23/09
@ gastronomeg! You are so right! LOL!
jlewfoodie at 10:52PM on 07/23/09
@ gastronomeg: Major League Baseball. They're clean. I just know they are. ;)
shoneyjoe at 5:57AM on 07/24/09
@gastromeg, I've worked in more than a few places that had random and mandatory drug testing. And the way it's done now, there's not much chance for cheating. The place my husband works for now has drug testing, and it's company wide. They caught a few people on the first sweep they did after the new ownership brought in the policy, and it's been pretty clean since then.
dbcurrie at 9:44PM on 07/25/09