What is a fair wage?

[alexr]

I am the Chef owner of a small (45 seat) upscale bistro about 60 miles north of New York City. My assistant recently left and I have been having a **** of a time finding a replacement. I have started to think that the money I have been offering is not enough. So I will put the question to you. What sounds fair? 52 Hours. Sunday's off. Four Hours on Mondays. Lunch and dinner shifts from 11:00 to 9:00 Tues-Sat. No Menu creation. No ordering. Prep and cook. Give me a clue.

www.stoneleighcreek.com

[miahoyhoy]

Out of curiosity, what were you paying?

[Ma Facon]

$18.00 Hr. + benefits. Health , Dental , Life, 2 weeks paid vacation , Bonus depending on sales and a liberal food allowance.

[chrose]

I'll be there Thursday

[kuan]

I wouldn't put in a dollar figure just to attract people. I'd make sure I have the absolute right candidate and then talk money. Some people value free time over anything else, some value benefits. It all depends.

[chefnoahchicago]

$18 is fair in any city. I agree that you should look at the person and skills then talk about money. There are a lot of hungry chefs looking for work with the benifits offered it seems more than fair. You might want to talk to the right person about a creative outlet over time. Good luck!!!

[Jim]

I concur. That seems like a fair wage/benefit package. Maybe the right person has not yet come along.

[alexr]

Sorry....are you serous??

[Ma Facon]

Is that $700 - $800 a week gross ? Any benefits ?

[Ma Facon]

Is the assistant position only prep and cook ? I am sure there are other responsabilities that come with the [ assistant position ] ? Or is the position more like a sous and you as chef just do not want to share ? Why don't you look for a cook and pay him accordingly and you as chef do more prep and cook yourself ? Maybe then you would reconsider what a [ assistant is worth ].

[alexr]

Gross Salary. No benefits..... so I see where this is going. Not enough? Let me give you a run down with your numbers....$900 week gross salary (My cost $1008) Health Insurance with Dental and Life (single $490, couple $750, Family $1160) per month. Two weeks paid vacation ($2000 for a replacement). Bonus?? 2 percent? 3 percent? $1500. So the cost for this one person would run me close to $70K? How do you make those numbers work?

[Ma Facon]

Do you have insurance through the business ?

[Ma Facon]

Maybe you just need a cook who lives at home with his / her parents , Maybe 2 part timers . Explore more options , local schools ? Retiree's etc... Asking someone for 52 hrs. a week is more in line with a mgt. position. One Chefs Opinion.

[kuan]

So how many people do you really need? Seriously, if you're doing 60 covers a night you don't need more than 1.5 guys. How much hands on involvement do you have with the kitchen right now?

[alexr]

Good point! Maybe I could deal with some part time people instead.