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Today’s headline: Quebec bars and restaurants demand to go to full capacity; minister asks for patience

· Workforce

Why work in a kitchen?

Photo: Pexels
Photo: Pexels


As we try to juggle a pandemic and workforce crisis, numerous establishments are currently trying to rebuild their team. With the CERB and restaurants reopening, it seems there’s an abundance of available cook, assistant cook and dishwasher positions available.


However, candidates are scarce, especially in smaller regions, where local tourism is exceeding expectations and restaurants are struggling to keep up with the demand. 


So let’s ask ourselves: why work in a kitchen? What are the pros of seeking such a position in the restaurant industry? Here are some of the advantages that could convince you to make the jump. 


  1. Meal included


The majority of restaurants provide their staff with the option of eating on site, either for free or for a discounted fee. This allows you to save a good chunk of money that would usually be spent on lunches or dinners that you’d have to buy or make yourself.


And since you work in the kitchen, you know exactly how your meal is prepared, and with which ingredients! 


  1. Never boring


If there’s a work environment that’s never boring, it’s the restaurant industry. There’s always something to do, whether it’s prepping, cleaning, or planning. It moves, it runs, it doesn’t stop!


It’s an industry constantly in movement. When you work in a kitchen, you don’t see time passing by, and when it calms down a bit, you enjoy it rather than whine because of how bored you are (yes, we’ve all been there). 


  1. Constant change


Not only does it move a lot in terms of atmosphere, but working in a kitchen also means seeing constant changes in terms of schedule, clientele, and menu. You’ll avoid the 9 to 5 Dolly Parton warned us about, and you’ll never know what to expect when coming into work. 


They’re jobs that will keep you on your toes, or on the edge of your seat, whichever floats your boat. Point is: jump in!


  1. A close-knit family


Working in a kitchen also means creating strong and durable connections with a warm and welcoming team. It’s a real family that grows around the oven (I know there’s a joke about a bun in the oven somewhere in there…). 


Chemistry settles in to make sure everyone feels welcome and finds their place, and the goal is to establish a level of trust that will last a long, long time. 


  1. Discovering new places


Whether it’s within your own city or in a new region, working in a restaurant can give you the opportunity to explore new corners that you wouldn’t have had the chance to visit otherwise. 


Currently, with the pandemic, smaller cities are in dire need of restaurant staff. It’s the perfect occasion to discover a new location and incredible views while making a little money. Quebec has a lot to offer - why not explore it while working in one of its numerous delicious restaurants?


Laurie Dumas-Ruel

Laurie Dumas-Ruel is the web editor for Hotelleriejobs as well as a fiction writer in her free time. She's worked in food service alongside tourists for years and loves to explore the different ways in which human resources and the food service, hotel and tourism industries intertwine.