Management. Jesus.
I used to work for a Pizza shop. There were a total of six manager. For 1 shop there were something like five shops in the company spread across the city of STL, USA. From there, there was a regional director, business director, kitchen director, corporate Chef, an “Investor” (who as far as I could tell, his job consisted of coming in the back door on busy nights, being seated immediately, get his order put ahead of the rush, get drunk, get his food comped, tip poorly, and leave.) And the CEO. All of them tremendously self important. I noticed that the meatballs were bland. I added an extra half cup of salt. (Huge batches) The corporate Chef comes in, and readily helps himself to a couple freshly cooked meatballs. Comments on what a great meatball it is.
Me: Thank you sir, I actually added an extra half cup of salt.
He stopped fucking chewing, while looking at me with absolute confusion, with a dash of anger.
Him: You know that's my recipe…
Me: Yessir, and it's a great recipe. There great meatballs. Just needed a little more salt is all.
I've worked for some really great chefs, with big time credentials. All of them, had more knowledge, grace, and humility than this guy. Cut to later that afternoon my direct manager asks to talk to me.
Me: What's up Jeffe?
Jeffe: (looking exhausted) Did you change the meatball recipe?
Me: No. I just added more salt.
Jeffe: So you didn't follow the recipe exactly?
Me: No I guess not. But, the meatballs are better for it. Even (corporate Chef) said they were good as hell.
Jeffe: He wants me to write you up for changing his recipe…
Me: Huh? But, they're better.
Jeffe:(counting how many more days until he gets his HVAC certification) I know, you know, he knows. But, that's what he wants me to do.
Me: Do what you gotta do Jeffe. If he was that offended, I really think he should have been a man and told me. You know me well enough to know that a “Write up” means nothing to me. I'm fired or I'm not.
Jeffe: You're not. I'm not writing you up either. Just, follow the recipe in book, okay?
Jeffe really was and is an alright dude. I know he had to do his job. I had and have no problem with him. If you ever read this Jeffe, much love.
Me: Alright. You got it Boss.
Jeffe: Thank you.
Me: I'mma get back to work, you good?
Jeffe: Yeah man. Thank you.
I go down stairs and get back to work. Cut to two days later, what's on the prep list? Meatballs. I sign and chug more of my coffee. I get out the recipe book, and what do I find? A sharpie addendum to the recipe. Instead of a half cup of salt, one cup. I start fucking joker laughing, loudly and uncontrollably, making Hendo look at me side eyed. Johngo, the kitchen manager on duty pokes his head around my station.
Johngo: You good ?
I couldn't stop, I motion him outside and relay the story of this addendum to the sacred recipe. He Joker laugh's.we are both laughing like we're on nitrous oxide. Hendo was wishing he wasn't alone with us.
Even though he threw a fit, bitched my boss out, and tried to get me in trouble. He couldn't say I was wrong.
I got metric shit load more of these.