If you are like me, (and I know you are), you think about the future of your chef’s career. You wonder what the next position up in the kitchen is like, or wonder what their current position is like at another restaurant.
I always love reading about other chefs and their families. But I’ve noticed that the chefs who do write (I have no idea how they have the time) and the chef wives that write, are usually Executive Chefs or higher. So what’s it like to be married to or dating someone in a different position than that?
I’m so excited to bring you this series, written by chef/cook girlfriends and wives that will take us through each position in the kitchen as each one is so different.
I’ve asked these ladies each the same questions and I hope you will not only enjoy getting to know them, but also a little bit more about a specific position in the kitchen and what it looks like for us who support our chefs/cooks from home.
Today, we are starting off with the position of Line Cook. Chef Girlfriend Corissa Johnson is sharing with us today about what it’s like to date a line cook. When you’re done reading, I know she’d love to hear any comments or thoughts on how you can relate!
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Tell me a little about yourself and your chef (how you met, how long you’ve been together, do you have kids, etc.).
My name is Corissa 23 and my boyfriends name is Chris 25. Chris will be writing his Red Seal test at the end of this summer. Soon I can call him chef!!
Chris and I met in high school when I was 16 and he was 19. We knew of each other but never really hungout. He disappeared for a few years for travel and schooling. We remet at my old work (Wacky Wings) one night (Dec 28th 2014 to be exact haha.) We started dating new years eve and been happy ever since.
I was living in our home town until two and a half months ago when we decided for me to move in with him in London Ontario, we have never been happier.
We currently have no children, but we want them in 5-6 years.
What position does your chef/cook have in the kitchen? Briefly describe the size and type of restaurant he is working at (fine dining/casual, size, privately owned or part of a restaurant group, etc.).
My cook is considered first cook at his golf and country club. His restaurant is fine dining for sure. Half of the restaurant is walk in and other half is reservation only. Reservation only gets the special treatment. A basic membership costs about 50,000 . That’s just to play on the course not including food or alcoholic beverages. Chris really enjoys his work place.
Do you work outside the home and if so, what do you do and what are your hours like? If you stay home full-time, describe your responsibilities.
I’m currently unemployed until I finish my GED since I wanted to slack off when I was younger. Chris has told me he wants me to take care of that then find a job. Basically I clean the apartment laundry and any running around I can do without a vehicle.
From what your chef has told you or you have observed, what does he do in his current position and what is he responsible for?
My cook has a few positions he takes care of. Chris’s main position is pans. Sometimes he works the fryers. On occasion he will call out and plate the orders. He basically knows how to do everything in the kitchen.
What does a typical week and day look like for your chef (hours, days off, etc.)?
Maximum hours my cook does if 44 a week because he is not yet on salary.
He has been called in twice although I didn’t mind because the Saturday those weeks he gets to come home early because he will go into O.T.
How does your chef’s schedule fit with yours? What is easy/difficult about that?
So far right now our schedules are great since I’m unemployed. He usually gets home at 11pm at the latest and I usually stay up til 2 am anyways with him.
Does your chef bring work home with him (phone calls, email, texts, menu planning, etc.)?
He rarely brings work home with him, (I know hard to believe) but out of the few months we have been together he had to bring home his menu once because they added a few items and took a few off.
What type of chef laundry do you have to deal with at this level?
My cook’s work has a company who cleans all their uniforms. Although he has to wash his own hat. Which he does by himself.
What is the hardest part about this position in the kitchen for you as a chef wife or girlfriend and what (if any) are the perks of this kitchen position (for him or for your family)?
I find the hardest part about my cook being in the kitchen is we miss out on a lot of invites and occasions . I’m perfectly content with missing out on most things because the real important ones he books off ahead of time. Plus where he works now he gets 3 weeks off for Christmas holidays so I have 3 weeks each year he works here to spend with him and travel. Basically everything else is a perk to me.
(This is Jennifer again . . .)
For those of you dating or married to a line cook, how can you relate? For those of you who have been here in the past, any words or encouragement or advice? I’d love to know in the comments below!
View all posts in this series here!
From one chef’s wife to another,
The post What is it Like to Date a Line Cook? appeared first on Emulsified Family.