Let’s make this clear right now, I don’t give a shit about the special interest groups or rights for “blank”. I believe in equality for all, everyone, even the dumbasses.
There is no such thing as a Female Chef. Not because women can’t be Chef’s but because being a Chef has nothing to do with your genitals. You’re either a Chef or you’re not, it’s that simple. I’m not saying that there isn’t sexism in the Kitchen, I’m saying that the guys who treat women differently are assholes.
The Kitchen is one of the last true democracies left. When push comes to shove, do you really think skin tone or sexual preference means a fucking thing when we have tickets up? None of it matters to me. All I care about is that you show up on time, that you’re knives are sharp and that you can keep your shit together during the rush.
Fun story, I had a couple of homeless guys that would hang out at my front interest and harass anyone who walked by. Both of them able-bodied white boys, maybe a few years older than I am but able to stand upright and carry a bus tub. One day the Holy Spirit came over me (I think that’s what it was) and I offered em a job. I told them I needed dishwashers and prep and if they showed up at three I’d pay em both a fair wage and cut of the tips.
They both swore up and down they would be there and made sure they knew the address and, of course, tried to get me to give them bus fare. Three o’clock came and went and neither of em showed up. Later that night a guy who could barely speak English came up to me while I was out back having a smoke asking for a job. I hired him on the spot and he showed up the next day and proved to be one of the best guys I’ve ever found.
Honestly, I don’t know or care if he was “legal”. He had a health card and we took taxes out so in no way was the guy burdening our system or “taking our jobs”. I don’t ever think he told me where he was from and really, it didn’t matter. He was a workhorse with a great sense of humor and when I called out an order, he always made it the way I showed him.
When you go into another Chef’s Kitchen, you respect the fact that it’s their Kitchen. At this point in the game, I’ve worked for a few that had a lot less experience than I do and they did things in a way that I personally wouldn’t do. But it doesn’t matter how I would do things, in their Kitchen, I do it the way that they want it done. Even if it’s “wrong” there’s a time and place to discuss it and chances are there’s a reason for it that you’re not aware of.
It comes down to respect. You respect your Kitchen, you respect your staff, you respect your equipment and your customers and your vendors. If things like sexual preference, race, faith, or what’s between someone’s legs plays a part in how you treat people, you really need to take a look at your priorities. If you take issue with the fact that people of all kinds are welcome at my table and treated as family, you can get fucked.