What would you do if this was happening to you?

Question

I've recently started working at a new restaurant, at first I got on with everyone really nicely but since I was offered a managerial position the chef, (who is older than everyone at work and has many years experience) has turned hostile and disregards any thing i say or suggest to the point of telling me if I have any thing to say, I should not put it directly to him but tell the boss instead. Yesterday a costumer asked how long his food was going to be so I went to ask the chef, he told me not to put pressure on him and physically pushed me outside the kitchen, I was speechless at his attitude... I wanted to aproach him about it but i talked to my boss instead who said that for now it's best if we use him as a 'middle man' as me and the chef seem to clash. I believe that all staff should be able to communicate with each other and it feels like we have to ***** foot around the chef because he's so set on his ways...
I want to excell at my job... how do I deal with this?

Answer 1

that has go to be a pain in the butt .

Answer 2

Whom do you think the boss needs more and has more respect for? Not you, honey, it's the chef. It's much easier to replace a manager than a good cook, especially if the place is famous for its dishes. It's far easier to find a manager, just someone with some managerial skills... but a good cook? It ain't easy. Let this sink into you- The kitchen is the chef's domain. The one and only one person can tell the chef what to do is the owner and that even is not true sometime if the chef is much sought after for his cuisine. Without good dishes, a restaurant is nothing. You see; your boss didn't intervene on your behalf and instead offered to be the middleman. Doesn't that tell you how much he respects the chef? Settle for this: You stay out of the kitchen but the chef must treat you better. I've worked at a restaurant for a long time and saw that the manager stayed put in the dining room and the chef ran the kitchen. Only the owner ran the whole show.

Answer 3

This is jeopardising your career and your manager is not supporting you as he should be.

From what you say, it's not that you 'clash' and that the boss has to be a middle man; it's that this chef has been bullying you and now he has physically assaulted you.

I would go back to your boss and tell him again what happened. Emphasise the physical assault, tell him that you are not happy with the current situation (how can you be expected to run a restaurant when you aren't allowed to speak to the chef, for God's sake?) and say that you want it to be dealt with formally.

If this doesn't work, go to either higher management, the unions or, as a last resort, the police. You have been assaulted and no-one is taking you seriously.

Just an aside, though: I worked in catering for years and, whilst many chefs are lovely, it can happen that the weird hours and the loneliness send them nuts over time. In fact, sometimes the job attracts misfits BECAUSE of these things. So don't try to approach the chef yourself, I've been in situations like this before with chefs, report it and let someone else deal with it.

All the best!

Answer 4

There seems to be this competition between chefs and front of house staff, people come to the restaurant for the food and the chefs play on it, sadly if the complaint went to the top they would side with the chef due to the fact that restaurant managers are 10 a penny but good chefs are harder to come by. all in all it sounds like the chef is just been the chef, don't be frightened of him and don't worry about it, he's probably like that to other people.

Answer 5

LOL- Not laughing at you Liz but with you- Why?
Because exactly what your telling me, had happen to me 4 years ago. Same thing other than I'm the cook and it was another cook.
UN knowing to me they actually hired me to then let him go.
But big problem his wife also cooked at same place.
The bottom line is- Just go to work, try to come to terms what happen and try to resolve it. Have a three some meeting Boss, Cook and you. Final your Boss is both of your bosses, so what he or she decides goes! Then you stay our front and let cookie run his kitchen. If customer ask something, then try to fix on you own (In a fashionable mannerly time).
1.) In a restaurant it was always the right the chef has top say (But today who knows)
2.) Never ever have a heated discussion in front of a customer.
3.) If can't work your different out by yourself go to your top boss.
If he should start something with you or even rude remarks, pushes you TAKE NOTES!
Every day after work keep notes and wittiness.
Tell boss you do something or I'm laying charges next time he assaults me in anyway shape or form.
Don't back down.

I did this and two weeks later he was fired and 2 months later after his wife accused me of taking her husband job she was canned for stealing.
Just hang in there Liz and good luck.

Answer 6

I`ve been in a similar position myself. I think you`ll find that the chef is trying to look the big man infront of all of his kitchen staff. I`d ditch the idea of using a manager, and at the end of a shift, catch the chef alone, take him into the office if you have to, and aske him what exactly his problem is and why he is trying to be difficult. Also, make sure you are armed with a list of what he does to annoy you. Give it to him straight, dont take any bull and prove to him that you are not going to be messed around - hes throwing his weight and seeing how far he can push you.

Answer 7

Clarify with the boss who should carry the responsibility. If you are now part of the management team, use your rank.

Dont ask a question give an instruction!

Any form of non requested physical contact is bullying and assault! .

Lead from the front, and let your expectations of task completion be known, with clarity and authority.

Those who do not follow instruction should be reprimanded by calling them to your location away from their current task.
Warn that if dissention continues they will be disciplined, regardless of position or rank.

Think carefully before giving any instruction, could this be purposely misconstrued by the recipient to make you look foolish?

Always confirm that the recipient understands your instruction correctly, and reports its completion to you, make this task their responsibility, not yours to check on!

He cooks, he does not manage. And if your boss feels that this is a personality clash, maybe he is either afraid of him himself, or he is weak. Ask your boss for honest feedback of your position. Does he not respect you? If so, why did he promote you in the first place? If he cannot justify the chef's attitude towards you, maybe you need to rethink your career choices. Do you want to work for a weak boss, or one who does not respect you have authority over other staff?

If you do not get anywhere, you could possibly make a formal complaint? Or possibly find another job where your experience is respected?

Good luck!

Answer 8

The chef is a jerk. He wants you fired. He is accustomed to getting his way, so, decide how badly you want this job because, unless you fight back most passionately, he will win. So, if you aren't up to the challenge of having to deal with such a prima donna, you would save yourself the humiliation and sabotage he has planned for you if you would resign as soon as possible. If you wish to use this jerk as a way to get experience handling such a primitive struggle, then you should fight back. One must take the offensive. I would warn him clearly that you intend to sabotage his job, his reputation and his chances of ever getting another job as chef ever again if he doesn't immediately grow a brain. And, then, to punctuate my point, I would make an anonymous phone call to the health department and complain about this chef's hygiene practices at work. I would have two different sets of my friends show up at the restaurant to dine and then to complain MIGHTILY over hair in their food or lousy food preparation when this chef is cooking and when your boss is on hand. Get my point? It's tough stuff, but, trust me, this jerk means you serious harm. Begin documenting every event that occurs with this moron. And, the next time he even remotely touches you, call the police ON THE SPOT. That's assault. Stop being such a push-over.

Answer 9

It seems to me that the Chef is displeased with you being placed in a managerial position. People resist change when they feel that it is being forced upon them. Your boss must make it clear to the whole staff that you are now in a position of authority and that you are acting on his behalf. Show the chef respect and let him know he is a valued member of the team however you will fulfill your responsibilities within the restaurant.

Answer 10

You did the right thing. Now the ball is in the court of your boss. He has to deal with the chef. Just remind your boss now and then that he needs to take a decision. Until then, play it cool and do not give any chance for you to be put in a compromising position. Just keep cool no matter what.

Answer 11

The worst case scenario would be for you to wait it out and then for the said chef to injure you in the process of pushing you or doing whatever grevious action he is now presumed capable of. That way the boss could sack him with no legal retaliation from said chef.
More practical response is to follow rules set by boss, after all as manager you are working for the boss and have to abide by his rules, it is his restaurant after all. He will get rid of the chef if time goes by and it is the chef whom has been misbehaving and it is you who has been civilised and following orders as set by the boss.