Friday, February 5, 2010

Day 56: Bullet Dodged or Shafted..?

Was my spotlight taken or did I dodge a bullet? When I came in I was told to run larder and watch whilst the other apprentice, took the bullet for me and took my primary roll on the pass while I observed and learnt from her mistakes.

This proved a good idea in my eyes as I did not want to “go home crying” as one of the Sous Chefs put it. We had 160 in last night and the pace was just right enough to gather myself between tables.

So was my chance to really prove myslef stolen or was I given a better chance?

4 comments:

  1. what does "on the pass" mean? I am contemplating ditching my future law career for a culinary one, so i feel like i am in your shoes of 60 days ago. as for missing out on a potential time to shine, any employer worth his (very expensive) salt has to a) judge people on merit and consistency over time, including the ability to learn while taking a back seat. b) the chef has to spread the love around. Perhaps not putting you in the limelight expresses a sense of trust and confidence in your ability to work without needing to be watched

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  2. Hi. Its good to know people are actually reading this and not just me and my thoughts.

    "The Pass" is the area where food is plated up and "passed on" to be collected by the waiters to be taken out to the customers. this is where the head chef and sous chef's stand to inspect and plate up food which has been prepared by the various sections.

    Perhaps your right about spreading the love. But I can't help but still wonder if I let a opportunity to shine slip by me so easily.

    As for giving up your future law career, I'd give it some more thought. It isn't a glamorous life at all..

    Have a read of this. I read this article 100 times and thought about it for countless hours before leaping into the deep end and just going for it. I still have no regrets.

    http://gourmettraveller.com.au/master-chefs.htm?rcid=6384&mode=rcid

    Cheers.
    - The Pantsless Chef

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  3. wow what a great article, thanks heaps. one thing i was wondering about, and you dont have to answer, but have the long un sociable hours affected your relationship with your gf? i have a year or so to decide what i want to do after i finish my arts degree, but the last thing i want to do is to threaten my fantastic relship with my bf. though i suppose if the relship is so great then a little thing like a job isn't going to affect it...hum choosing to go against the grain is hard :) Cheers,[E]

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  4. I as a guy I'd probably say it hasn't, but she would say yes hahaha. my gf recently just moved closer to me, so i guess that has helped.I try see her as often as I can, like after work and on my weekends so i guess it isn't so bad hasn't really effected it that much.

    At donovans' we have a relatively flexible timetable as long as you give enough notice we can get days off and schedule weekends when we need them.

    I also waited till I finished my IT degree to go against the grain as you would say. It was one of those things that I knew if I didn't give it ago it would always be my "what if"

    Cheers.
    - The Pantsless Chef

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