In 30 years of cooking, I have seen quite a few antics in the kitchen. With all the hot pans, sharp objects, and constant rush to feed the masses, there is bound to be some excitement. The ill-tempered chef is more myth than reality, but all good chefs share a passion for perfection.
Reality shows like Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen is carefully edited to give the impression that four letter words are required culinary terminology. Confidential kitchen memoirs are crafted to shock us with chapters of industry only secrets. I loved the movie Ratatouille and its accuracy, provided you take out the part of the abusive Frenchman with the big hat and the idea of a chef-rat becoming famous for interpreting a classic recipe. These are caricatures, great for advertising and book sales, but even Gordon Ramsey would be the first to tell you that running a kitchen is about inspiration, not intimidation. Ramsey and other successful chef-restaurateurs know too well that they need to surround themselves with great people, and then develop them to perform at a high level of excellence. He may be loud, but his teaching is extraordinary. If it wasn’t, we would never have heard of him since he wouldn’t have been able to leave his stove.
Marriott takes pride in the positive work environment our culinary teams enjoy. Marriott kitchens are built on a framework of trust and opportunity. I have visited and worked in hundreds of our hotels, and I am always blown away by the great people in our kitchens. The next generation of Marriott chefs is the dedicated cooks that are on the line, in the pastry shop and banquet kitchen, or cooking your omelet each morning. We aim to take care of them, so they keep taking care of you.
What’s on YOUR plate today?
Chefs,
I know it is a difficult job and one needs to be be constantly motivated to bring out the best from every member in the team. However motivation is different for every individual but the common factor in all of us, is the passion. Chef Ramsay is one in a million. I do agree that his language is obnoxious but he has developed a team of chefs where we all want to be a part of. Abuses are fired now and then in the kitchen because of the adrenaline that flows in the body during challenging time but it is a part and parcel. Who does not abuse? You walk down the streets and people use the f word although it is considered harmless. It is the language and culture which has made it so prominent and famous. Chef Ramsay has used this to bring the show to a new level of excitement where people wait to see what happens next.His input has created new heights and dimension in the world of culinary. So I think it is not all that bad when you get motivated and inspired to create a memorable evening for the guests.
-Raman
Good article, I agree. A negative chef is usually hiding incompetence. It doesn't get any better than a chef with a passion for perfection!
-Renee Comet
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