The Prep List
20 Lessons from 20 Years in Hospitality: The Prep List ☑️
This November marks 20 years since I walked into the back door of a restaurant for my first shift as a shy, uncertain 14 year old, beginning a rollercoaster career on the line.
As I reflect on the journey, I'll be sharing 20 of my most memorable insights, lessons, and stories - tips for success in life, work, and creativity from the underbelly of the restaurant world.
#1: The Sharpie
THE LESSON: Be one of the few cooks who brings a sharpie to work.
THE STORY: Fine dining restaurant staff are constantly labeling things. Green masking tape (doesn't leave residue on the container!) fine-tip sharpie, writing out the name of the prep item, the date, and even your initials... take ownership of your work, am I right? If you're REALLY fancy, you fold over one edge of the tape to make it easier to remove after use.
But here's the thing. It seems like nobody ever has a sharpie. Cooks spend all day asking each other to borrow one. You had one, but you left it clipped on your apron last week and it went through the wash. There's a box locked in the office, but nobody has the key. You found one, but it's all dried out. Your sous chef has one, but it's his day off. In some past workplaces, cumulative HOURS per week were spent by staff looking around for a sharpie to label their prep.
Be the cook who has the f!@king sharpie. How much do they even cost, $1?! Buy a costco box on your first day of culinary school and you'll be all set for years.
WHY IT MATTERS: Some things in work/life require a lot of skill, experience, or training. Some tools and equipment are incredibly expensive or hard to acquire. Some forms of preparation require a lot of effort.
Other things require nearly no time, effort, or resources, and immediately set you apart.
Do those things.
The "cook who has the sharpie," or whatever the equivalent may be in your world, is the person who planned ahead, made a few small efforts, and is now making everyone else's day easier.
They are prepared, conscientious, and helpful.
They know what's required to do the whole job. Not just the obvious parts.
They're frequently jumping in to lend a hand because they took a moment to foresee the needs of the team, and be ready for them.
Be that person.
Print out a few extra copies of the agenda and annual report before you head to your board AGM. (And be the person who actually read all the reports beforehand!)
Look up the address and parking options at your sales meeting and text your colleagues to save them time.
Arrive a few minutes early to tidy up the workspace after a busy few days, so everyone can get off to a great start this morning.
These things take very little effort, but they get noticed. And they make your life easier too.
How are you brining a sharpie to your work today? ✍️