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@chef_rodney_117, career, chef, cleaver and blade, culinary tales, customers, drinks, food, kitchen, love, restaurant, restaurant business, Rodney Lienhart, service industry - April 09, 2020

“Caught in the Headlights of Fear.”

Watching the friends and family that I’ve made over the course of my career succumb to the relentless onslaught of this frenzied backpedaling and fear mongering from the people who said that we’d be ok. After trusting what they told us to do, we all lost our jobs and livelihoods. This made me think back to be a child in the hills of Tennessee. The first place in my life where there was something that only a few claims to have seen but caused me to freeze with fear. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have...

“Coming back Home”

Never in a million years would any business owner imagine that they would have to let their entire staff go due to an invisible enemy. No one can stop it, or escape it. Nevermind trying to plan for something like this. Now all we can do is attempt to prepare for the fight of our lives. We as grunts in the kitchen often are faced with many types of hindrances in our lives, but nothing can compare to unforeseen disaster. How do you do prep for no asses in seats? No dining room to look out to through the...

"The Truth is Seen in The Mirror."

"How are you going to get home?" My date for the evening asked in a frantic panic. "I'm magic," I replied with a sneer in my voice. I'd had enough of this woman already and the night was young. I had so much more time to get in trouble before my shift started at noon the next day. Luckily, I was working the swing shifts and didn't have to come in and babysit the morning prep guys anymore. Once we got this new batch of prep cooks, I felt immediate relief, both for getting the backup we needed and because...

Use The Spirit of Anthony Bourdain As Your Guide

When Anthony Bourdain strolled through the streets of Iran no one threw bottles at him. There were no parades of hijab-wearing terrorists clamoring for his blood. Instead, he was met with kindness, warmth, and love...

“A Real Tiger King Doesn’t Wear a Stolen Crown.”

I can remember it clearly. The sweat pouring down my body; the heat in the air making my lungs feel heavier with each breath. My entire body feels like it’s on pins and needles. I'm about to crash. And I think to myself, is this where I'm going to die? Is this where my dedication and humility have led me? What about the sacrifices I've made to get here? I can't go out like this. Not on this line, not next to these people. I want to die at home in my bed, peacefully--preferably of old age. I always wanted...

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