A chef has two wives.
Three, if he has one at home too.
But at work there are two: his sous chef and the general manager.
The GM-chef relationship is an interesting one. It’s unlike the us-against-the-world relationship he has with his sous chef. It’s more complicated, more tumultuous at times, more grown up, sometimes infuriating, often times nurturing.
Both of you have major roles to fill and are under tremendous pressure. Everyone in the restaurant depends on you. There is no one for you to turn to except each other.
When your relationship with the GM is good it has the ability to bridge the gap between the front and back of the house. When mom an dad are happy and in love, the kids are happy and feel loved.
But restaurants are stressful. They challenge that relationship constantly.
Although both parties ultimately have the same goals, how they accomplish those goals greatly affects the quality of their lives.
A chef “gets” the GM’s needs, but doesn’t feel them and vice versa. I’ve had screaming matches behind closed office doors and those, “can we talk about this outside,” moments during service because of this.
The GM always seems to be the bearer of bad news on the kitchen and the kitchen, overworked and exhausted, can’t see above their prep list to understand how heavy that burden is on the GM.
“I hired a new server, can you make every dish on the menu for them?”
“We just got a big catering order for 500 people! Can you have it ready by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow?”
“I know we just closed, but a 4-top just walked in. Can we serve them?”
Just when chef thinks he is caught up, closed down, ready to take a breath or take off his apron for the day here comes the GM walking in like the Grim Reaper.
“Oh god no. Whatever you want to tell me, no,” you are thinking.
But, you know that’s not an appropriate answer, so you retie that apron, put on a smile and say, “yes dear?”
Through all the tears, frustrations, laughs and eye-rolls this person really is your partner-in-crime.
The GM-chef relationship is a crucial one. Neither of you would survive without it.