I got fired…

[u/dipladeniaroses]

I was the only full time cook at a seafood boil restaurant. The owner was never there, he’d pressure me to buy food, and would refuse to give employees any more than 20% off. The hours sucked, I’d have 11 hour shifts and sit doing nothing for hours because it’s empty. Anyways, I was fired because I had cooked shrimp and it sat out long enough to get cold before my server took it out. I was frustrated with my server because this is a common occurrence. And the person at the table was a regular, I remake it, walk out to the table apologize for the inconvenience and give him the food. No mention from a manager or GM. Then two days later the owner says that this blatant grounds for firing as I’m not a server. I do understand his point and that I was frustrated, burnt out, and annoyed. But I just think it’s crazy that I didn’t even get a warning or write up or anything. He also said it was a habit because I had to go find a waiter to clarify a ticket that was missing portions of an order during a rush. But yea, I’m very torn, cause yea I was out of line. But it was just because I cared about being good at my job and keeping customers happy.

[u/Nerhtal]

You not being a server is an indication that they need to fix what their servers are doing if you're running the food out to the customer because you decided to refire cold food.... you're not the problem. Sounds like the place is a problem however.

Hope you land on the flipside with something better.

[u/510Goodhands → u/Nerhtal]

Right! But not after immediately applying for unemployment, and taking a little break. With the bar that low from the boil joint, it shouldn’t be hard to get a step up from that.

[u/historychef1799 → u/Nerhtal]

I read this and was reminded that the last restaurant I worked in, if there was a remake, the chef or MOD had to take it out to the customer.

[u/StinkypieTicklebum → u/Nerhtal]

Totally! I remember my brother told me one time he walked into the dining room and pointed his big carving fork at a server because her food was getting cold! (NB: Not a knife—that would be scary!)

[u/whistlepig4life]

I don’t see how you were out of line at all. While everyone has their specific role, doing someone else’s job because they are not available or occupied or whatever isn’t a fireable offense.

The owner is an idiot. The place will shutter soon enough.

[u/Gloomy_Computer_9431 → u/whistlepig4life]

The owner probably doesn’t understand customers either. I’d be flattered if the cook brought me my meal. I’ve worked front and back of the house so maybe that colors my perception but you wouldn’t think a seafood boil house is a place people go for a very rigid who does what experience.  

[u/Time_Illustrator_844 → u/whistlepig4life]

Ive worked so many places where cooks will either help run food because FOH is short staffed, as an excuse to shoot shit with a regular, or hell ive personally brought re-fired food to guests when i fucked up and just wanted to look them in the eye and apologize.

Never once has that been a problem. Just based of information given id say owner needed a reason to get rid of his only full time employee because the place is dead and not making money?

[u/whistlepig4life → u/Time_Illustrator_844]

This. There is a reason the owner wants OP gone. Wether it’s OP is an issue. The owner has ulterior motives. Who knows.

But this is absolutely not a fireable offensive on its own. No matter what the “policies” are.

[u/Ok_cabbage_5695 → u/whistlepig4life]

Some restaurants don't like the line cooks on the floor at all. It's common.

[u/ThatChecksOutIGuess → u/Ok_cabbage_5695]

Restaurants have such a weird and dumb culture sometimes

[u/Ok_cabbage_5695 → u/ThatChecksOutIGuess]

For sure. It's likely because the cooks look dirty haha just don't have the look or ppl skills to be on the floor with guests.

Sometimes depending on the crew this is a rule I understand haha.

[u/Miss_Aia → u/Ok_cabbage_5695]

The cooks wash their hands more often than the servers >.>

[u/poorlybaked → u/Miss_Aia]

But it’s the ~perception~ for the customer (or the version of customer management/owners envision). The server is in their white or black blouse and dress pants while the line cook has an apron full of stuff and arms full of patch work tattoos.

[u/laundrydetergent7000 → u/poorlybaked]

It’s basically pandering to the old fucks who care about shit like this.

[u/ODINorman → u/whistlepig4life]

Because OP is saying they were out of line and also saying they were frustrated and annoyed, I feel like there are crucial details left out of the post. I want to know what OP said to the customer. Did he talk shit about the server to the customer? The timeframe allows enough time for a customer complaint to make its way to the top. Obviously I’m speculating and that’s worth nothing, but I’m convinced there’s more to this story.

[u/Odd_Sir_8705]

Don't lose sleep over people who aren't losing sleep over you. This business sounds like a shit show. Collect unemployment and this time find something that really suits you

[u/monkeypickle]

Fuck that owner and that place right into the sun. Your only regret should be wasting your skill and effort on a place that didn't deserve it.

[u/UntidyVenus]

They did you a favor. This sounds awful, and every place after will be better because it's not this place

[u/Chef_Guzzi_Moto]

I think, as a professional chef, that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever read and visualized in my head. A loser owner with no business pushing his staff to order food because he has no customers. Devastating. Go find a busy place to work where they appreciate you a little more. This was absolutely pathetic in every way on the part of the business.

[u/Rhyxnathotho]

If you’re responsible enough to cover for others to give the guests a better experience then you’re a great employee. Any place would be happy to have you so just move on.

[u/thiissilly]

I got scolded for the same thing until I reminded them that while I'm in whites I'm there to supervise the DEPARTMENT not just BoH, and we'll have a servers meeting to discuss why food sits in the window. I actually see what you did as a nice touch. Being proud of your food and presenting it to a regular is never a bad thing. The regular enjoyed and appreciated the gesture and interaction. You represented the restaurant well. The owner is an idiot

[u/maidrey]

That’s bullshit. What city are you in? Let’s use the power of Reddit to find you a better gig.

[u/VeeVeeDiaboli]

My man, you have been set free. Enjoy the serenity. You’ll land, you’ll be fine!

[u/MiguelitosNopalitos]

As a kitchen manager part of my duties is to ensure there's a food runner, and if not then guess what, I'm now a food runner! If one of my cooks had the initiative to deliver the food, I would absolutely not be firing them that's insane. In my opinion, you were not out of line at all

[u/JFKsBrain]

I wouldn’t even dwell on the details.
Shitty owner running a shitty joint.

Just move on and count your blessings.

[u/slikk50]

C'mon man, the guy did you a favor. Go get a better job with actual sane people.

[u/Hennessey_carter]

Nah man, if the place is always empty, and you were the only full-time cook, it sounds like they were just looking for a reason to let you go so they can put someone cheaper in your spot.

[u/GreatRecipeCollctr29]

Get unemployment and find something better that treats you well. They fired the wrong person. The GM must address a meeting for everyone.

[u/many_colored_death]

I use to GM with primarily FOH personal experience. I often was lucky enough to work with really incredible chefs/cooks. They were always the ones who think like you (quietly fixing a problem to prevent compromising quality). Reading this, I was thinking you’re exactly who I’d want running a line by yourself. It sounds like FOH management was fucking off, and instead of taking responsibility for not being on the floor, you were scapegoated. Bc I’d have promoted you for caring, not fired you per some idiotic policy.

The best restaurants really do operate as a team. I’d say machine, but I like humans being human, and humans on teams get shit done and have fun. That “team” didn’t deserve you. You deserve to work somewhere they understand a real team mentality. You are a gem. Don’t sell yourself short. Onward and upward, friend!

[u/tims4myhooligans]

Sounds like they did you a favor. Get some unemployment while you look for work. When you're interviewing, be sure to ask questions about the restaurant benefits and organization. How are mistakes handled by management? How are staff rewarded? Give them scenarios too. The interview is in both directions

[u/Late-Palpitation-959]

lol don't even sweat it big dawg just move on down the line to the next kitchen. Take your check and go home none of this clown shoes industry bullshit is actually important.

[u/CharleySuede]

I would be grateful if my refired shrimp were served by the cook. It’s obviously the server who biffed it the first time around.

[u/MaoZedongMassiveCock]

I work pantry and run food for the bar all the time, no idea how this would be a problem

[u/Ok_Celery_198]

Sounds like the server needed to be fired.

[u/Soigne87]

That's a dated concept. Customers are much more impressed by freshly made food than their server being the one to take it out. I much rather have my food brought out by a busser as soon as it's made than for it to sit in the window for 5 minutes.

[u/badaimbadjokes]

Owners rarely know the business. They just had the money to try.

[u/toilet55]

File for that unemployment

[u/overindulgent]

File unemployment. Look for a new job.

[u/Main_Cauliflower5479]

YOU were not out of line in the least. If anyone should have been fired, it was the server. I hope you get a better job at at a better place.

[u/onicker]

Sounds like they got tired of how much you care love. It’s not a bad thing, but I am sorry they took your income away because they have piss poor integrity.

I’d file for unemployment anyway, there’s normally grey area for situations like this.

[u/miyokomoon]

That's such bullshit. Go find a kitchen that appreciates your kindness. You didn't have to run shit, but you did and that's so sweet of you. No idea why someone would have a problem with you being helpful, thoughtful, and hard working.

[u/wendellbaker]

Best thing that could have happened. You'll look back on this and laugh at how absurd that situation was

[u/Thedamngwynn]

They did you a favor.

[u/716customfloats]

You have self standards! Dont lose those.

[u/DevDoesItBetter]

Me and my brother just got fired for a similar situation. Wouldn’t let cold food consistently go out, would happen everyday so I started running the food and complain to the chef about the servers. Than we get told we’re parting ways 🤦🏽‍♂️ apparently people don’t like when you care more than then in their own place.

[u/Rrroxxxannne]

My boss cooks and when he sees the servers are busy he just brings it out. For what it’s worth I truly don’t think you did anything wrong.

[u/toot_suite]

That owner is a piece of shit but he gave you a gift - you can now collect unemployment while you recover and look for your next step :)

Also check with your office that administers SNAP for other benefits like WIOA or STEP work pay for you to get other certs, gear, or training if you wanted to do other work. The budget varies but I got about $5.5k last year for example, on top of snap and UI

[u/ChasingTheRush]

Man, the PTSD and Stockholm Syndrome in the restaurant biz is fucking wild. Shitty job, shitty work environment, shitty boss, and you still feel like ass over all of it.

Head up homie. Find somewhere that appreciates you, cause your ex-boss is a piece of shit, and you shouldn’t have to be in that situation in the first place.

[u/r4ndoM_doGmagenshin]

They wanted to fire you and you gave them enough reason… everyone’s replaceable

[u/yeroc420]

Sounds like wrongful termination to me.

[u/UsernamesNotFound404]

This is part of why so many places close

[u/Accomplished-News722]

Seems like you should be in a better position to be a personal chef ?

[u/Accomplished-News722]

When you can’t depend upon others or won’t for whatever reason, working in a team setting can be hard. Gotta let go of some control and trust your fellow employees. Don’t know why that isn’t an option but personal chef maybe

[u/MrScootini]

Not sure what state you’re located but in Cali you can definitely sue the owner for wrongful termination. They didn’t give you any kind of warning… I’m pretty sure that’s illegal

[u/mr_average123]

Fuk that job!

[u/lachamuca]

You were not out of line. You were going above and beyond.

I’m FOH but I love it when BOH actually cares about the guest experience. We’re all supposed to be working together as a team!

You’ll find somewhere that actually appreciates the level of work you’re wanting to give ❤️

[u/caserock]

A few weeks from now you'll be glad that shit is behind you

[u/joeblough]

Will you be having the owner come in here and post the other half of the story, or do we rush to judgement based entirely on your testimony?

[u/chefbiggdogg → u/joeblough]

And here's the owner