Employee Issues New kitchen has over weight cook

caterchef · #1 10-14-2009, 02:28 AM

I have taken on a new position and they have an over weight cook that I
didn't know about when they hired me.(over 300lbs.)
She is about the size as the one that just started on TV with the pink chef's coat.
When she is behind the line nobody can pass without bumping into her.
I am told she's the reason they can't keep anyone on either side of the line.
I'm not sure how to tell the owner that is where his problem is.

greyeaglem · #2 10-14-2009, 03:48 AM

Odd that you should bring this up, as I have been thinking a lot lately about this same problem. I'm no skinny-minnie and probably take up more space than I think I do. However, I was taught early on to keep to the right when walking in a kitchen (same as road traffic), keep my carcass close to the counter (don't stand in the middle) keep my feet under me, and be aware of who's around you and where they are (so you don't back into them). This seems to be a lost thing training wise, but extremely important for keeping things running smooth. If you don't keep to the right, you will do the "dance" where no one knows which side the other one is taking. My big deal now is people standing with their hands on their hips. I had a manager who, when I was 16 at my first job, physically grabbed my arms firmly and put them down by my sides. I had a surprised/shocked look on my face and he said "This is a small kitchen. Putting your arms like that makes you three times bigger than you are. I have to walk three times as far to get around you." I never forgot it. When I try to break newbies of that habit, I always tell them that story. I worked with a 70+ year old lady at a recent job that probably weighed 90 lbs. She would stand with her hands on her hips, and also had an uncanny way of knowing where I was going and getting in front of me right before I got there. At the end of a shift my knees would ache from stopping short and turning to avoid her. My problem now is my line cooks are taller than me, and it seems like their elbows are always trying to poke my eyes out. I sympathiize with your problem. I have worked with people bigger than the one you are talking about with no problems, and I've been around skinny people who take up the whole kitchen. Tripped on people's feet who were leaning against a counter who didn't have sense to move until I tripped on them 3 times and started giving them dirty looks (duh, put your feet under you). Size in a kitchen, especially a small one can be a big deal, but I think it's more of a question of being aware and alert to what's going on around you. The person should be alert and move in anticipation of where you are going, but again, no one thinks about that any more.

ChefRobin · #3 10-14-2009, 07:20 AM

I can understand your concern, the concern of moving hot food in an already limited area, plus trying to avoid her is definitely a safety issue. I would check with OSHA rules if there are any on it, with regards to mobility behind the line. Otherwise could she be moved to another part of the line where people don't have to pass around her? Her culinary skills don't seem to be the problem just her size and that is a safety issue for everyone, including her.

Maybe a healthy employee meal promoting good food would be something to think about. Especially now with the flu season we are getting now. Goodness knows we can cook healthy for everyone else, but we don't always eat that way ourselves.

shroomgirl · #4 10-14-2009, 11:42 AM

The males in my family (three sons, father, ex-husband) all stand in the kitchen in such a way that blocks everything....gotta be taught, I sure didn't teach any of them to monopolize the friggin' room.

sorry, it's been a sore point for years.

chefhow · #5 10-14-2009, 12:01 PM

I agree with Shroomgirl, I am 6'5" and weigh 285, I'n not exactly a small person yet I probably take up less room than most. When I apprenticed ages ago I did so in a kitchen that was tiny, I learned the hard way that a small footprint keeps you from getting burned, cut, run over and generally disliked. If you teach her how to take up less space as mentioned before her size may be less of an issue.

Just Jim · #6 10-14-2009, 01:44 PM

A well thought out line will eliminate the need for people to dance around each other.
You do what's on your side, I do what's on mine.
Be very tactful in how you approach this issue.

lentil · #7 10-14-2009, 05:16 PM

Are you sure this is a work issue and not a FAT issue? If so, do what others have mentioned- teach her how to take up less space and rework the line. That's probably the answer that will keep the business out of court for discrimination. If she's a good worker, then how can one possibly think of getting rid of her? It I were her, I would most certainly be thinking of filing a claim if she gets let go.

pembroke · #8 10-15-2009, 06:10 PM

Calling out 'behind you with a knive/hot pan' tends to eliminate the problem quick enough! Remember, never trust a skinny chef! LOL

ChefRay · #9 10-15-2009, 07:59 PM

I was 6'2" and 305 when I first set foot in a professional kitchen. I seemed to take up less space that another young man there who has literally half my size. It's all about keeping your feet under your shoulders and being aware of what is going on around you.

fryguy · #10 10-15-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pembroke

Calling out 'behind you with a knive/hot pan' tends to eliminate the problem quick enough! Remember, never trust a skinny chef! LOL

thats funny......LOL and seems to be true for the most part

DuckFat · #11 10-19-2009, 10:49 AM

Some one drop Paul Prudhomme and the great clogged one a memo so they know they can't succeed if they are obese.

Just Jim · #12 10-19-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Global_Chef

It seems to have taken a turn from how to deal with the problem to Big and Tall people on the defensive.

I see no evidence of that.

Again if the line is thought out there should be minimal reason for dancing.
Only the unorganized feel the need to jump around people.
Size is irrelevent.

chefhow · #13 10-19-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Jim

I see no evidence of that.

Again if the line is thought out there should be minimal reason for dancing.
Only the unorganized feel the need to jump around people.
Size is irrelevent.

couldnt have said it any better Jim, at 6'5 and 285 I dont take offense to anything in the thread and I am both big and tall.

Just Jim · #14 10-19-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Global_Chef

The man doesn't sound like he has a problem with bigger people Jim. He's simply looking for some suggestions to his issue. Why don't you pony up the money to better think out his kitchen seeing as you have all the answers mr 50% temper 50% mental.

~ To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.
La Rochefoucauld

No need to make this a personal issue.
You are the one who keeps referring to people "having a problem with bigger people" or "big and tall people being defensive".
I've not made either statement, or anything close to it, and I don't see where others have.
It looks like you have an obvious agenda, so I'll back out and go with my original statement: Be very tactful in how you approach this issue.
While others may have difficulties with tact, hopefully the OP does not.

boar_d_laze · #15 10-19-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckFat

Some one drop Paul Prudhomme and the great clogged one a memo so they know they can't succeed if they are obese.

So very, very true. I fear they'll never make it to the big time. Not only that, it impaired their technique. Neither could cook as well as a slim "chef" like Giada DiLaurentis.

BDL