Does EVERYONE smoke?

[logose]

Seems all the younger lab techs smoke,but none of my fellow instructors in our department smoke. I smoked for years and quit when I was pregnant with my first child. I never picked up a pack again. For years, I would have a craving for one when I was angry or when I just finished a big meal.I would even dream about smoking.I have never given in. When I quit though, I began to really taste food very intensely. I think it does affect how one adjusts the seasoning of food. I used less salt and could identify ingredients in dishes more readly as well.
My experience is that every where I have ever worked in the restaurant business, majority of the people smoked. I think the 90% figure is right on in my experience.
From the very beginning, I notice that unfairly , the smoker students tend to take more "restroom" breaks during lab classes (they go outside to smoke) whereas the ones who don't smoke do not.

[Eeyore]

It is true. Im allowed to take breaks at my discretion too, but I just dont. I dont have a nasty habit constantly pulling me away from work. When I do occasionally take a break I will have to spend it breathing smoke if I want to sit.

The thing that really bugs me is that workers are only allowed to smoke in 2 designated places---BUT, they just so happen to be the only 2 places we are allowed to EAT also. Way to ruin the best part of the day!!

I hate to sound extreme, but I don't see how anyone could smoke and NOT be inconsiderate of others sometimes.

eeyore

[Pastachef]

I smoke, but do it outside and ALWAYS pick up my butts. I think people who throw cigarette butts all over the place are really rude. They look disgusting!

[Marzoli]

Good for you! You should see the front lawn around the entrance to our school the morning after a game. Like a fresh snow!

[Pastachef]

I can imagine, Sandy. The outside of our sorority looks the same way every morning. No wonder the housekeeper is so mean!

[CWK]

I smoke BUT I decided not to smoke at work
period.It's fair and gives my lungs a break.
The only problem I have is that I am a majority of one.There is nothing more discusting than turning around into a cloud
of some server blowing ciggie #15 into my face,even though I smoke too.I have no problem with a smoke free kitchen - Even if it hurts.****, who has time to **** in smoke on a so called "Break" I'm just glad for some air.Bill

"No smoking while you're punched in", it says on our message board. Pretty **** simple, eh?

[monpetitchoux]

Just last week I was joking with the floor manager that the only thing I've ever smoked was duck and fish. I can see how smoking destroys one's sense of smell and taste. There are some chefs who prefer that their cooks also dispense with sodas, particularly coca cola, believing that that also interfere's with the senses.

The management at the restaurant where I worked frequently patrolled the staff entrance where most folks went to sneak smokes while clocked in. So the staff found a new place to smoke: The staff bathrooom. I couldn't tell you how pissed off I became as the bathroom is near the pastry station. So I tipped off the management and am now smoke-free for the time being.

[Svadhisthana]

That is interesting, I never thought about the effect of smoking on a chefs ability to taste. I'm always amazed to see people in the smoking section taking a puff of thier cigarette between bites. They seem to be the people who salt thier food before tasting it. (a pet peeve of mine) Makes ya think....hmmmmmm
Svadhisthana

[CWK]

Originally posted by Svadhisthana:
<STRONG>That is interesting, I never thought about the effect of smoking on a chefs ability to taste. I'm always amazed to see people in the smoking section taking a puff of thier cigarette between bites. They seem to be the people who salt thier food before tasting it. (a pet peeve of mine) Makes ya think....hmmmmmm
Svadhisthana</STRONG>

Thats exactly what I can't seem to understand.How can someone smoke and eat?
I'm trying to quit but I'd never dream of eating with a lit cigarette at the table.
I've been smoking for well over 15 years.
Yuk!Smoking Does mess up your sense of taste
among other things.Bill

[ May 09, 2001: Message edited by: CWK ]

[youla]

I am a smoker but sorry I dont get 25 smokes a day at work I am lucky to get one!! a five minute break in the morning..and I like it I seem to get my day organized in that 5 minutes,,,I have given up twice and did notice the different in tastes ,,smokers seem to need stronger flavours....but on the other hand...I have the whole pastry kitchen and garde manger walk out for a break at the same time...I watch their buffets, ala carte as well as my own...and they say well you had a break!!!!!!? jeez I mean I smoke 1 milligrams and I am back within 5 minutes....these guys have a good 30 - 40 minutes!! Trying to give up again...but I really need those 5 minutes of solitude!

[davewarne]

Hi,

Just a small point. If the customers are generally smokers then they are going to need the over seasoned food prepared by the smoker chef. Are we saying that chefs in general are more likely to smoke than the average person? I would say that in the U.K. that smoking is on the way out at the moment. It's disturbing to see that young girls seem to think that smoking adds 'class' to their appearance. Not so with the boys though.

David

[Anneke]

Dave,
Same trend is occuring in North America. Go figure. I always thought it was gross when I was growing up.

About catering overseasoned foods to smokers: I think it's always safer to allow your patrons to correct seasoning to their own taste. My mom was telling me that some of her silver-haired friends have stopped going to most restaurants because foods contain so much salt that their ankles swell right up and their mobility is affected for days. Too bad: they have money!

It's easy to salt underseasoned food on your plate. The reverse however is not an option...

[shahar]

Still, all these posts don't answer the main problem. Kitchen work is a har job. Face it. Friends of mine in other workplaces don't believe the amount of hours I work and the kind of work I give. **** I used to work seven days a week months straight. Almost killed myself.
Drugs and other self abusive beheaviour probably are higher among chefs and kitchen staff than other proffesions. It's a way to keep going, even if it's only an illusion.
Now, from my exprience the situation in a kitchen depends on whether the chef smokes or not. Non smoking chefs, I knew, were very hard on smokers and vice verca.

[UniChef]

I remember coming up in this business it seemed like every kitchen everyone smoked right on the line (and not always just tobacco either!). I remember hanging cigarettes off the stainless steel counters in between orders.

An important issue to address here is that the reason smoking in kitchens is against regulations is because of the hand-to-mouth contact.

friedparsley- you need to find some place else to work.