CHAOS IN THE KITCHEN

Everyone in the industry knows that kitchens can get chaotic. You likely have heard of the stereotypical screaming chef throwing pans across the line. Long ticket times, overcooked steaks, server errors, and lack of communication can create a hostile environment. So what can you do as a line cook to prevent things from boiling over?

-Control What You Can-

Sometimes you are short staffed, sometimes you are too busy, and sometimes everything that can go wrong, does.  Many things are out of your control as a line cook. Focus on things like stocking up your station, cleaning as you go, and communicating with your team.  These seem like obvious steps to take, but they become more difficult as business increases.  Take the time to make a checklist and ensure that you cover all of your bases.

-Mind Your Mise-

Organization is everything when it comes to maintaining a smooth service. A good line cook knows their station inside and out.  Even if another cook tells you that you’re all set, it is your responsibility to make sure you are ready.  Your main priority is reducing the amount of trips back and forth to the walk-in or dry storage during service.  Don’t forget gloves and towels!

-Don’t Be A Hero-

I have worked with a lot of cooks that are too stubborn to ask for help.  Some even get hostile when you try to hop on their station to assist them.  It is important to realize that one person can only do so much.  A good chef can identify when they should move cooks around to accommodate heavy business, but a line cook should also communicate when they need an extra hand.  Help the chef, or whoever is on expo, do their job effectively by knowing when to speak up.

The only true way to become better at navigating chaos in the kitchen is repetition and experience.  Once you have seen it enough times, you will come to expect it and take measures to stay ahead.  As a beginner, do not beat yourself up if you have some nights that you can’t keep up.  Use it as a learning experience, ask your Chef how you can improve, and live to cook another day!