Moonstones kitchen update;
The good news, the bad news, the good news….
Chef Manny Besana and the opening kitchen team did a remarkable job researching, experimenting, debating, designing, preparing, and then executing Moonstones original menu back in May, 2008. (I know…Approaching two years already!!) Proper menu design is excruciating! That’s a blog for another day. Then the dust settled.
Manny (or his wife!) sought a more “regular” daytime schedule, and weekends off. Sadly, we said goodbye Manny, but joyously welcomed impassioned, “can’t wait to get started” Chef Enx Dadulas. A wonderful transition, and Chef Enx is an amazing culinarian.
(For the record, Manny went back to nights somewhere else after only a month. It’s in the blood! We truly hope he is well, still married, and his wife is happy and supportive. He deserves that.)
Since the beginning, and hence today’s post, we have been trying hard to fill, what is the single most difficult position in the restaurant business, the Sous Chef. The Chef’s right hand man. The leader of the brigade. The next and one day Executive Chef.
The reasons this position is so difficult to fill are many;
First of all, the most capable soon become head Chef’s, as position’s open constantly (As do restaurants…and close!)
And then, the “would be capable” suffer from many, many impediments. From false sense of skill, to inability to comprehend the complete role, to substance abuse issues common to our stressful-nighttime proffession.
So many would be Chef’s prove completely incapable of recognizing that being a great cook, difficult enough, is only a fraction of being a great Chef. Providing great leadership, that requires deamnding the discipline of many in the pursuit of accuracy and consistency plate after plate, burn after burn, day after day, weekend after weekend, is a much, much more elusive goal.
What makes us successful are our teams. All oars in the water, rowing in the same direction at the same time. Many hands make light work, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours, What comes around goes around…
Great cooks cook. Great Chef’s lead.
There was John 1st, who never noticed anything, felt he was worth more money (and is now making less)
Robert felt he was already the boss (and is now driving a truck)
Stacey wanted the day off…so went home
Downsey was still drunk, in denial, and angry….always.
Antonio was angry, and mean. (and aways recovering from the night before)
Jorge was attention starved (And dishonest, and never, ever stopped talking)
Jason lasted one day. (Maybe it was us? We’ll never know)
Martin was always late, always tense and always had a looong excuse. (“Not drugs!”)
Donald told us what we were doing wrong during his 1st interview.
Lucinda didn’t know what she wanted (“just not this”)
James was a pot head (and a challenged by the truth)
Ellen likes James (and his pot?)
These names have been changed to protect those that we wish well. (Even the angry guy) The list is not complete, but a good sample.
We may now, finally, be there?! Sally and Stefan, both very important players from the opening team continue to learn, improve, provide accuracy, set the example, cooperate, work extra hours, remain positive and respectful….and show up each and every day, on time, ready to rumble. They are great employees and great team players.
Managing oneself is tough enough. Illiciting respect and cooperation from other’s, and being able to lead them to accuracy, as well, when they are tired, sweaty, stressed, burned, overwhelmed? That takes a special set of skills and a whole bunch of understanding, patience and humility, maturity and mental toughness.
Chef Enx deserves the best, and will create greatness when allowed to stop running and start thinking, observing and teaching.
My eyes remain open, my heart hopeful, my fingers crossed.
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