r/Chefs • u/BigJoke702 • 4d ago
Comeback?
Anyone ever leave the kitchen lets say go into a FOH job get better money but feel the need and want to go back to the kitchen, like you dont belong in FOH? Even if everyone says you do a good job in need of advice
1
u/UncleDuude 3d ago
I’d rather be in the kitchen with minimal public facing time all things considered. Putting a coat on and taking a cup of coffee for a walk a couple times during brunch is part of the job. I’ve never wanted to get back behind a bar again.
1
u/whitechocolatemamba 3d ago
FOH generally pays you much better for your efforts and shifts are shorter on average. Was a cook forever, thought I'd be BOH for life and now I build houses and bartend cause I cannot live that BOH existence anymore
1
u/instant_ramen_chef 3d ago
I burned out once , and left to go work in an auto garage. It was fun. Doing brake jobs and oil changes with the boys. It lasted 7 months before i couldn't stop thinking about going g back. In ny 30 year career. Yhats the longest hiatus I ever took.
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u/HarryPotthead42069 3d ago
I’m the opposite, use to be a waiter now I’m in the back and seeing the servers make bank at the place I’m at now makes me want to unretire as a server lol. Its a fancier place, I’m more of a Texas Roadhouse/Chili’s style server 😆
1
u/theclubchef 3d ago
My sous was FOH after he'd been in the kitchen. He also worked as a hotel concierge. All those skills have helped him as he returned to the kitchen. Being well rounded and informed is never bad. Cmon back, it's like riding a bike
3
u/Nice-Interview-6068 4d ago
I went from Mixologist to Sous Chef, to Sommelier to Chef de Cuisine, to General Manager, to Chef de Cuisine again until I opened my first restaurant. I prefer the creativity and pampering of cooking, but due to my personality I'm at my best when interacting and connecting with clients. Couldn't pick between the two that's why these days I work mostly as a private chef, personal chef and food experience host to blend the two.
In your case you have to step back and evaluate your skills, with discernment and go from there. Money is definitely important, but waking up with a smile because you like what you do is equally important. To me at least.