Anyone have advice on how to deal with a sous chef who tends to make me feel unwelcome in my own kitchen? I have a small restaurant with room for only 4 chefs at a time. One of my two sous is good at her job, though she tends to make me feel unwelcome in my own kitchen or regularly question my authority. Not even sure she realizes she is doing it, but it's like a power struggle or something.
My staff and I are all around the same age, but I am the exec chef and restaurant owner, so my plate is extremely full. We don't abide by a rigid brigade system, but I expect and deserve respect as the chef and owner. I appreciate having sous who are able to manage the daily kitchen operations in my absence, but I need to feel welcome in my own kitchen at the very least.
Any suggestions for how to deal with this? I am sick of feeling anxious every time I go into work knowing she is there. We are supposed to be a team, and I shouldn't feel uncomfortable working with her. I don't want to make things more awkward by bringing it up, and I'm not sure the best way to do it.
My staff and I are all around the same age, but I am the exec chef and restaurant owner, so my plate is extremely full. We don't abide by a rigid brigade system, but I expect and deserve respect as the chef and owner. I appreciate having sous who are able to manage the daily kitchen operations in my absence, but I need to feel welcome in my own kitchen at the very least.
Any suggestions for how to deal with this? I am sick of feeling anxious every time I go into work knowing she is there. We are supposed to be a team, and I shouldn't feel uncomfortable working with her. I don't want to make things more awkward by bringing it up, and I'm not sure the best way to do it.