Shit has been so negative here lately. Countless posts of vets leaving the industry (myself included) but I was recently reminded of a team I worked with for about 6 months I wanted to share.

Moved to my ex fiancés home town a back in 2012 and joined the opening team of a phenomenal concept. Meat forward, full service “smokehouse” with composed plates and an extensive charcuterie/canning/ preservation program.

We did late night food from 11-1am for F&B in our town Thursday - Sunday. We wouldn’t be out until 2am/3 if we stayed and boozed it on the patio. Never had to worry about any team member...we all just got it.

She called things off - came home one late night, hit me with me “you’ll never be the male spiritual leader I need in a husband” - didn’t say shit and walked out the house. Called my CDC at 3 am. Only dude I really knew in this town before moving there. Dude got up, started rolling blunts . We smoked, drank, talked, and laughed till 7am. 5 hours sleep - off to work.

Before line up - my CDC and chef owner pulled me out for a cigarette. Owner hits me with “Your off the next two days, you’re not doing Anything wrong but bro you are really bringing me down. You don’t need to be here, go find a barstool and some strange”

My brother in law and sister were living in SF at the time and I got a job as a commis in a 1 michelin star kitchen. Put my notice in on Wednesday when I came back to work and no one batted an eye. Stayed in my chefs guest bedroom, raged with him for two weeks. Had a staff party my last day and chef took me to the airport on his way in the next day.

The things I would do for a work family like that again. To those of you that still have it - cherish it.

ps - she married a preacher 6 months later that ended up in prison for criminal domestic violence and her in the hospital. 🤷🏼‍♂️