Maybe it is because I am sick, head cold, but I am feeling burned out. I have been working in the resturant buisness for a little over 20 years. I started as a dishwasher, and quickly worked my way up to bartender, gift of gab. I really enjoyed bartending, but the culinary arts pulled me back into the kitchen. I did kitchen work, for around 7 years, working my way into the kitchen managers position. After a few years of that, I was moved into a resturant managers position, which I held up until 3 years ago, a few months before I found cbid. During this time, I was able to complete a college degree, Major sociology, and a minor in Biology. After Graduation, I realized that I enjoyed resturant work, much more than I could possibly enjoy social work. I stayed with the resturant buisness. But I also started analyzing my job, trying to discover what I enjoyed about it, and what other careers I might be qualified for, that would be as fulfilling as the resturant work. I figured out that there were three things I enjoyed about resturant work.
#1. It was the people. I really enjoyed meeting people, and trying to make their resturant experience a great one. As a bartender, I could be a patient ear, and a bit of a comic. As a cook, my boss calls me a chef, I have enjoyed the response, when a customer really enjoyed a meal I had prepared. Living, and working, in Arkansas has given me the opportunity to suprise people, especially tourists, with dishes which they would not expect to find, in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing like the feeling of satisfaction a cook gets, when customers rave about their signature dish, Mine is Salmon Parmesian, being the best they have ever had. Instant gratification.
#2 The opportunity to create. The resturant buisness, is a great creative outlet. Coming up with promotions, new dishes, and problem solving, are fun and can result in great things, such as my signature dish.
#3 The social atmosphere. I really enjoy people, as well as my quiet time alone. In the resturant buisness, I get both. In the resturant, I try and create a festive atmosphere, through lighting, music, and the cheerful staff. As a manager, I worked hard to make sure my staff was cheerful, knowlegeable about the products, and knew how to sell everything, from drinks to the main course, and of course desert. My first instruction, to a new waiter, Bartender, or even busboy, is to treat the resturant as if it were your living room, and you are entertaining a bunch of your best friends. If you have a crabby customer, treat them as if your best friend was having a problem, and you want to solve it. I have found that this instruction has been great at both keeping the customer happy, and creating a cheerful atmosphere in which to work.
I am currently mulling over a possible career change, as I have decided that 20 years in the resturant buisness is long enough. I have been thinking along the lines of public relations, though I am not sure that I am qualified for anything more than entry level. I have thought about Route Sales, especially food service related, and that seems to be the most obvious choice. But I have also thought I would do well in a job that required travel, such as telecomunications installer, after a couple of more courses. Since I have no family to worry about, travelling for work and being away from home for weeks at a time, would not bother me in the least.
Sorry to ramble on, but I was just wondering, if there was something, that might appeal to me that I have not thought of. I have always gone for jobs that I enjoyed, for less dollars, than one that I would hate, for the big bucks. I am used to long hours, many times back to back 14 hour work days, and I even enjoyed alot of them.
Any Ideas Guys???????
What am I missing here???????
Later
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)
P.S. The above, was typed under the effects of NyQuil, so if it seems a little strange, take a dose of nyquil, and it will all make sense.
LOL
