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Are you allowed to cook without anyone watching you? I am very self-conscious and don't want anyone watching me.
As a chef, are you allowed to cook without anyone watching you. I am very self-conscious and don't want anyone watching me. Thanks for your answer.
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4 answers
Updated
David’s Answer
Hello,
I understand your situation, I am also shy and self conscious. That being said, in any kitchen you are under a lot of supervision in any role from dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, sous chef, chef. Everything is checked and tasted for quality and safety. The lower you are in the kitchen the more eyes there are on you. There are moments of freedom where someone is not looking at you directly working, but the chef and/or sous is always roaming to detect issues before they arise.
I understand your situation, I am also shy and self conscious. That being said, in any kitchen you are under a lot of supervision in any role from dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, sous chef, chef. Everything is checked and tasted for quality and safety. The lower you are in the kitchen the more eyes there are on you. There are moments of freedom where someone is not looking at you directly working, but the chef and/or sous is always roaming to detect issues before they arise.
Updated
Sikawayi’s Answer
Hello Ashneel, thank you for your question, I don't believe that the head chef stands over the whole while you are making your meal. However, your food will be tasted while you're making it and after you are done. This process is done with everyone in the restaurant not because you are being monitored but because the restaurant has a certain standard to maintain. Best of luck
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Fred’s Answer
Not my field at all, but here's what I think.
As with many questions like this, the answer is "it depends". If you are a line cook, you are in a kitchen with other cooks, and being supervised by the head chef or kitchen manager. While they may not hover over you, they are in there with you, doing their own jobs, and rely on you doing yours. Some restaurants have an open kitchen, where guests can see the cooking going on.
If you have a small bakery, you may be the only person doing the work, so there will be nobody to watch you.
If you become a private chef, it may depend on your contract with your employer. You can try and say "you can't watch me cook", but that may limit your opportunities.
As with many questions like this, the answer is "it depends". If you are a line cook, you are in a kitchen with other cooks, and being supervised by the head chef or kitchen manager. While they may not hover over you, they are in there with you, doing their own jobs, and rely on you doing yours. Some restaurants have an open kitchen, where guests can see the cooking going on.
If you have a small bakery, you may be the only person doing the work, so there will be nobody to watch you.
If you become a private chef, it may depend on your contract with your employer. You can try and say "you can't watch me cook", but that may limit your opportunities.
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Ashneel.
Cooking by yourself is a challenging thing to do, especially if you go to culinary school. However, if you are just looking to cook at a bar and grill you may find a small place where you need to cook by yourself. Having issues with self-consciousness is not something you can't overcome. Once you get the passion and pride to cook more, you should not worry about what others think. Just take a deep breath and think to yourself that you can overcome this self-consciousness and you should be able to do anything. But it takes practice, and it won't happen overnight. You could practice cooking for your family and friends this will help you build up confidence. You can do this Ashneel. Believe in yourself.
Retired Executive Chef Rob Mingus
Cooking by yourself is a challenging thing to do, especially if you go to culinary school. However, if you are just looking to cook at a bar and grill you may find a small place where you need to cook by yourself. Having issues with self-consciousness is not something you can't overcome. Once you get the passion and pride to cook more, you should not worry about what others think. Just take a deep breath and think to yourself that you can overcome this self-consciousness and you should be able to do anything. But it takes practice, and it won't happen overnight. You could practice cooking for your family and friends this will help you build up confidence. You can do this Ashneel. Believe in yourself.
Retired Executive Chef Rob Mingus