Comments on line cook.: The most important thing.

curious about what articles you assigned as homewo...

2009-03-30T02:28:00.000-07:00

curious about what articles you assigned as homework for new cooks? i'm always up for more.

also, generally curious about training techniques. i started 6 weeks ago at a resto that's pretty disorganized and has a checkered past, and, consequently, i'm now considered a 'senior' person and i'm training people. we'll also be hiring tons of pretty green cooks for the summer. the french laundry it is not :)

training has without exception been terrible at all the restaurants i've been at ... typically, a couple of awkward nights shared with another cook who may know what they're doing, but barely knows 'how' and has no clue how to talk about it.

i always had to ask a ton of questions and be pushy to get comfy in a new place. i'm finding that most of the folks i'm training don't ask questions. they're too submissive and so they learn slow.

i guess the ideal trainer communicates well, encourages, checks in for understanding, and is precise, consistent, professional with all that they do. those are the qualities of a good trainer, and i'll do my best to emulate those ...

any instructive experiences as trainer / trainee out there?

or thoughts on how to best incorporate lots of green cooks into a high-volume seafood bar & grill?

I like this one better. It is the most important t...

2008-10-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

I like this one better. It is the most important thing, and now when I have something to shout over the pass I'll fuckin be like fuckin clear about what I fuckin gotta like say.

kirchartfour,i mean that it's not formal like that...

2008-10-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

kirchartfour,
i mean that it's not formal like that. my chef is less interested in a cook showing what they can do than he is in their attitude and intelligence. i did plenty of cooking on my stage, but all for service.

What do you mean "not that kinda place" -- what wo...

2008-10-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

What do you mean "not that kinda place" -- what would denote "that kinda place"?

VIPs in the house ...International Ms Leather 2008...

2008-10-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

VIPs in the house ...

International Ms Leather 2008
Southern California Ms Leather 2006
Northwest LeatherSir 2006

We had a great time at Nopa - thanks for interrupting the Saturday rush to take some time to chat. I hope that the Microsoft Get Out Of Jail Free card comes in handy.

An awesome dinner to fuel the debauchery that followed on Saturday night and Sunday -
Folsom Street Fair *totally* rocked.

I'll never again look at a bottle of hot sauce without a wicked grin on my face ...

kirchartfour,no, no tasting...nopa's not really th...

2008-10-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

kirchartfour,
no, no tasting...nopa's not really that kind of place.

Wondering: did you have to complete a tasting for ...

2008-10-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Wondering: did you have to complete a tasting for your spot at Nopa?

sundays: agreed. never.

2008-10-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

sundays: agreed. never.