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c/chefsnoahmartinnoahmartin11d ago

The night I hit 150 covers solo and almost walked out

So last Saturday I got stuck running the line alone at The Rusty Spoon in Athens, GA because my guy called in sick. I thought I could handle it, but when the 150th ticket printed I just stared at it for a solid minute... wondering if I really picked the right career. Some chefs say that number is a badge of honor, proof you can handle the rush. Others think it's a red flag that the owners are cheap and setting you up to crash. Have any of you hit a specific cover count that made you question everything in the moment?
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3 Comments
the_lee
the_lee11d agoMost Upvoted
150 covers alone at The Rusty Spoon? I mean, that's a solid night but it's not like you were doing surgery. People act like hitting that number is some kind of mountain to climb. It's a busy dinner shift, not a war story. Owners are probably just trying to keep labor low, sure, but you got through it and the place didn't burn down. Maybe just take it as a lesson to set better boundaries with your schedule instead of acting like you barely survived.
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the_christopher
Man, I've been there. The trick is to just focus on the next ticket not the pile. If it gets too hot, call for help even if you feel dumb doing it.
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the_max
the_max11d ago
Did they pay you extra for working short staffed?
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