Vent: My sous chef called me out on my plating last night and it actually stung

I've been doing this for 8 years and still do that weird little swipe across the plate before sending it out. He just said "bro, you're wiping flavor off, not cleaning the plate" and I stood there for a full 10 seconds with no comeback. Has anyone else had a junior cook drop some truth that made you rethink a habit you thought was sacred?

3 comments

3 Comments

nora_dixon15d ago

Oh man, that's a rough one to hear in the moment. I think he's got a point though, that little swipe might be taking off a thin layer of sauce or seasoning you actually want on there. Maybe try just trusting your plating and leaving it alone for a week, see how it feels.

craig.sage15d ago

It's wild how we do stuff like this without even thinking, right? Like the same instinct that makes us wipe a counter that's already clean or adjust a picture frame that's straight.

olivia_allen15d ago

I was not prepared for "wiping flavor off" today. That's the kind of line that sits with you during service and then keeps you up at 3 AM. I've done that exact swipe for so long it's basically muscle memory, like how some people tap a salt shaker three times before using it. But he's not wrong. You're basically seasoning the cloth and leaving the plate bare. Now I'm going to be paranoid every time I reach for a towel.