Chef-Janitor, Chef-HouseKeeper, Chef-Whatever..etc..

I definitely don't mind helping out around the kitchen, but I get really bothered when I am expected to clean up everyone else's messes. I call for help when I'm in the weeds, and when someone else needs me, I'll help out. Another thing that bothers me about this situation is when the stewards and dishwashers don't bother to even complete their jobs, and you're left to finish it all. The ones I used to work with would do a half-*** job of cleaning and then sit around until they punched out, or try to talk to me while I was busy. It is very frustrating to get yelled at for other people's mistakes.

[cape chef]

Hey guys..Try owning an Inn or B&B
Or work for a off site catarer...

Platex gloves come in handy
cc

Yep, I'm going to buy a case of those gloves!

[Pastachef]

I use a case of those gloves in no time. I sure wish there was someone to call when I'm 'in the woods.'

[holydiver]

I think the reason that as chef"s we do not get respect is the we put up with being used. I told my last owner if I wanted to be a dishwasher every night I woulda applied for that job.Don"t get me wrongI am a team guy I started out on dishes as a kid but I never expected help it was my job. Another thing is if your working in an office as a computer programmer and the janitor dosen"t show up they don"t ask you to clean the toilets why? because they respect you as a professional.

[snakelady1]

When I was an hourly supervisor of a fine dining restaurant often times my teen dishwashers had to leave before we closed. I would brag that I was the highest paid dishwasher the resort had. I figure it didn't matter what job I did I was getting paid the same and often it was overtime.

[cape chef]

holydiver,

Do you think that is really a fare comparison? This whole thread makes me wonder about what people are willing to do to get things done. There will be times when we will have to do things that we feel are not "our job" or "beneath us"doing those pain in the arse tasks are really what make the difference.We must all climb the latter before we feel that we can own the latter.Even when we have done well for ourselves...we will need to pitch in and clean the potty if it needs to be done
cc

[Pastachef]

In my job there is one cook and one housekeeper. Although I have to do the housework when the housekeeper is out she refuses to do dinner or anything more than frozen chicken nuggets when I'm out. It's pretty hard to listen for delivery trucks while I'm cleaning toilets three floors up. It's not the extra work that gets me, because it's for the kids. What irks me is the way the housekeeper quizzes me on each and every detail of what I did - including whether or not I cleaned up the cigarette butts outside! I like to keep things running smoothly there. I just want her off my back. She is so bold and rude, and quickly tells me she only has ONE boss if I try to tell her how to do something in the kitchen.

[Pastachef]

I'd like to add that I started out there as a housekeeper. We had a tough house director
who recognized my love of sanitation and knowledge of food safety. The cook at the time NEVER came out of the kitchen. On top of cleaning house I had to sweep and mop the kitchen and dining room, do the yard work, clean all of the machines and equipment in the kitchen, and be downstairs in time to set up for lunch and dinner. I had to help put away food orders. The cook did NOTHING but cook. The next year I was moved into her job. I filled in for her when she was out, both lunch and dinner, but never had to clean upstairs too. I was asked to pull the trash upstairs and make sure there was toilet paper on each floor. The same goes in all the houses unless the cook is a male. When the really strict boss left...that seems to be when the housekeeper began making all the rules.

Cleaning the potty isn't that bad. It's unplugging it that I protest!

[Pastachef]

LOL, Jeni

I'm not into unplugging the toilet, either. What I really hate is when I'm expected to be able to haul 2 bags of wet trash to the dumpster by myself because the stewards are having their 35th unscheduled, paid smoke break of the evening!!!

[Nick.Shu]

ahh, shugie, i think perhaps you need some straight talking person to inject some reality into this persons life.

[Pastachef]

I know what you mean, Bekka. I'm always dripping with garbage because we have no bus boys. I put out about nine of those monstrosities daily. Sometimes I can't even get them over the dumpster. I hate being 4'11". Often our wonderful maintenance guys help in this direction, but they are not always there. They work other houses too. Nick, that's a good idea, but both me and the house director have spoken reality to this lady. She's extremely stubborn and forgets easily. I could never stay in this job if I didn't love the kids so much. They make the ulcers worth it Believe it or not, I'm happy at my job. But sometimes I need to vent, and you people have been so wonderful. Thank you so much!

[Anneke]

Funny thing where I work, we get a new dishwasher every week or every 2 weeks. Usually he runs out in the middle of the shift. (Is it us? do we smell bad?) Last week it happened again. Our senior sous-chef, without a word, wrapped a plastic bag around his waist and did dished for the rest of the night. (He has a bad limp) Who would figure that the cooks would look up to a dishwasher? We all did...

I do wish to point out however that if this suddently became a regular occurance, I would be the firt one to protest. It's called efficient asset allocation, if you get my drift..