07/06/2026
Ever gone to the stockroom just to "look for something" and stay there for 5 minutes? 😂
If you haven't, don't chat to me.
One thing I've learned after years in kitchens is that every chef has mastered the art of disappearing for a moment.
Not to be lazy.
Not to avoid work.
Just to reset.
Sometimes service is moving faster than your brain.
Sometimes you've burned something you shouldn't have.
Sometimes Chef just gave you "the look."
Sometimes you've got 15 tickets hanging, three things in the oven, and you've suddenly forgotten your own name.
So after the service hours or first wave of busy hours, you head to the stockroom.
You stare at a sack of flour.
A box of canned tomatoes.
A container you don't even need.
And for a few seconds, it's peaceful.
No tickets.
No shouting.
No "Chef, behind!"
Just you and a shelf full of ingredients questioning your life choices.
Then you take a deep breath, grab the first thing you see so it looks like you had a reason for being there, and head back into battle.
Took a deep breath for 30 seconds and went back to the battle again.
The longer I work in kitchens, the more I realize that every chef needs those tiny moments.
Not because we're weak but because kitchens are intense.
And sometimes all it takes is 30 seconds beside a box of potatoes to get your head back in the game.
So be honest, chefs...
What was the most random thing you've ever pretended to look for in the stockroom? 😂👨🍳🔥
