Quit in a selfish, but mentally necessary, way. Advice needed

Walk away and don't look back.

When applying for a new position, be very careful how you address your experience there when asked about it. Don't trash them, just say that it was not a good place for you. and you had to move on.

Honestly, if three cooks walked off in the past week and now you, their reputation is probably well known in the local culinary world anyway.

Good luck with your new ventures.

We've all been there. Do what you gotta do...just get another job. Best of luck.

What's done is done and now you just have to mitigate the possible impact of your actions.  While I can feel for you I can't say that you did the "right" thing.  In my eyes you have lowered yourself to their level.  I understand your frustration, stress, anger, and disallusionment but that doesn't condone your actions.  If you don't care about the sous chef then think about how you left your other cooks. You keep talking about the sous chef, but where was the Executive Chef in this whole situation?  I certainly would have gone to him and if you got no satisfaction then I would have told him I was done at the end of the week, or, at the very least, worked through the night and told them you wouldn't be back the next day.  But again, what is done is done and you can't undo your actions.  I wouldn't bother trying to explain yourself to anyone there (other than maybe some of the other cooks if they were friends).  Nothing you say will salvage the situation in the eyes of anyone there.  You've burnt your bridges with most of them.

Remember, this business can be a rather small community at times and chances are you will run into some of these people again, maybe when you are looking for a new job sometime.  My advice, going forward, no matter how bad things get do the proper thing, give proper notice or at least adequate notice, don't burn bridges, and don't sink to their level.  In the short term, you haven't done yourself any favors in terms of looking for a new job.  While chefs might be sympathic to the situation you were in, most of us have had at least 1 or 2 of those jobs in our lifetime, many (myself included) will question whether, if you've done something like this once, will you do it again at the first sign of rough times.  It might not be a fair assessment of who you are, but it will factor into the hiring decision.

Get out of the industry.

You have to do what's right for you and look after yourself - no one else will.  From what you've described, I think you made the right decision, especially if you're only making $5.71 / hr.

Only thing I can I suggest is that you follow foodnfoto's advise above - he's dead on.  Don't trash talk your old employer during the interview. Odds are that they're already aware of the situation at your former employer, it truly is a small world.

best of luck

Walking off the line is NEVER a good decision, you would have been better served working the shift and telling them you quit.  I dont know where you work/live but Chefs and Sous talk to each other, just hope yours didnt get the word out on what you did before you land another position, it could make it difficult for you if its a small community.  Good luck in the future.

Obviously you realize that walking out wasn't the right way to do it, but I agree that you were right to quit.  I bust my ass and everyone knows it, and I've earned respect.  Sounds like a real hellhole, and no way I'd work for five bucks and change.  In the next interview, be honest.  If asked if you put in notice, admit that you didn't.  There are things no employer wants to hear in an interview, but the worst thing is a lie.  Don't trash the place and badmouth your old bosses.  Just say that it was a bad situation and you couldn't in good conscience continue working there.  Then tell them what you can do for their kitchen.