Chef Spotter: The Problem Solver

July 20, 2010 at 2:26 am (Kitchen Life, Uncategorized) (chef, mentor, pastry, political)

Some chefs can’t wait to get to work so they can find out what the problems are, and fix them.

You’d think this would be a good thing, and it can be.

Or not.

The problem with The Problem Solver is that they don’t want you to solve your own problems, and there’s a limit to how much you can grow in a position if you are always dependent on someone else to fix things.  Sometimes they see themselves as “mentors.”

It’s nice when you’re just starting out; you can alway go to Mommy or Daddy and they’ll fix it for you, or tell you how to fix it. But the PS chef has separation anxiety, and is most assurredly a control freak with codependent overtones: He (or she) is  not inclined to want you to become independent: Overstep your authority, and they can become very unpleasant. 

And don’t even think of challenging their decisions.  Or of coming up with your own.

The unfortunate crew of this type of chef stays in a perpetual state of arrested development, and it’s no surprise that things completely fall apart when the chef is on vacation or is otherwise out of the office. Chances are the Sous Chefs don’t know how to place a food order, or who to call when the dish machine breaks down.

All of this makes the PS chef feel like they are desperately needed, while in reality, the mark of a good chef is how well the crew does when he or she is gone.

You may also find that the PS chef attends all departmental meetings alone, interfaces with the administrative staff alone, and generally prevents you from being “visible.” You may think you’re being protected and/or sheltered so you can get on with the very important work you’re doing, but in reality, you’re being made invisible to the very people who could support you during a management shake-up. This is very not good, especially if and when the chef leaves and you find yourself working for someone new.   

Switching from one type of chef to another is hellish. It’s one thing to accept a job knowing that you’ve got a PS chef, and quite another to have one thrust upon you suddenly due to firing, resignation, or illness. Try to stay under the radar until you know what type of chef you’ve got. It can’t hurt to come right out and ask them how they want you to deal with problems: It shows your willingness to adapt. Don’t assume you know how this chef wants things handled, because you don’t. Doesn’t matter if you’ve always or never handled things, find out what this chef wants you to do. 

Some chefs are happy to have people who are willing to step up to the plate and take on additional responsibility; others view it as you overstepping your authority, and their goal becomes to put you in your place.

“Overstepping your authority.”

How many times have I heard that?