r/KitchenConfidential • u/Beeaybri 10+ Years • Jul 01 '25

Discussion I got let go today.

First time in my 15 year career of being a chef.

I was working at a college running their dining hall, with a ton of creative freedom. In nearly 3 years I trained the entire staff from bare basics knowledge, to being able to execute things like pork roulades and etoufee's for 1500 kids, 3 times a day. I revamped the menu for each shift from the bottom up, and created an entire vegan focused menu for one station in the dining hall (im non vegan so it was a challenge). I did so many things, and with one decision the rug was pulled from my feet.

It was due ti budget cuts within the school for low enrollment trends. They had to make up for over 300k of the budget somewhere and I got axed. They made it very clear several times that this decision had nothing to do with performance or a lack of want for me to be there, but it was what was being asked of them financially. I was the chef manager, directly under my chef director. And I ran the floor. 20 employees. Those guys became my family. My dining general manager that let me go was crying while even trying to give me my papers.

I'm distraught. I worked so damn hard. Im sad for myself, but I'm so sad for my team. Its hard being let go, but its even harder having to watch my staff cry after they got the news and I was cleaning out my office.

Its a really hard day. Im trying not to take it personally, or feel less than, or that I didn't do enough. Its just hard.

This is just really really hard. :(

anyone been in this boat?

2.0k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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746

u/MaryBitchards Jul 01 '25

Aw, shit. That sucks so much. You know it wasn't you and you'll get a good recommendation from this place. You can hold your head high and hopefully get something else really soon.

362

u/Beeaybri 10+ Years Jul 01 '25

Well they did tell me they would give me a letter of recommendation anytime. So that is a plus. Thank you friend

98

u/HeardTheLongWord Jul 01 '25

Hey friend, this is not something for you to worry, think about, or try to process today with everything else going on - but get that fucking letter. Send it with every application. Use it for the next 20 years. Any potential employee that comes with a letter of recommendation has a huge green checkmark to their name. You’ve earned it.

40

u/hydrodynamicman Jul 01 '25

Critically, get the letter now - generically written to whom it may concern about your value and contributions. Not in a week or two when any initial feelings of guilt over axing you have begun to fade.

166

u/R1k0Ch3 Jul 01 '25

Take your time to grieve. Then apply for a bigger, better position. More money. This place sounds like they'll gas you up and later on you can even think about bringing some of the staff with you depending on the gig. This isn't the end my man, just a new beginning. If you did this with even half the gumption it sounds like I think you'll land on your feet just fine. Be well.

40

u/Lycaeides13 Jul 01 '25

Get that letter now, while their love for you is fresh, and save it in the same folder as your resume

25

u/theantnest Jul 01 '25

There is a real possibility that you might look back on this in a year or two and realise it was the thing that needed to happen to put you into the next great thing you're about to do.

Try to keep a positive spin on it.

13

u/moranya1 Jul 01 '25

Agreed with the other guy about getting that letter asap. Get that letter now while it is still fresh. Once you are gone the "we need to give that recommendation letter" will get much lower on their priority list.

4

u/NewAlexandria Jul 01 '25

I've been through lots of hiring other kinds of budget dynamics. You should absolutely not associate this with yourself in anyway – other than the inconvenience of having to find another job. Hopefully they give you a good severance package so that you can spend the time focusing on applications to another place and if that is something in your area or you need to/prefer to move.

You have great credentials, and all of the references from everyone you worked with. It's a very easy decision for another organization to hire you. So keep your heart there.

Besides the challenge of finding another place, and whether you need to relocate, the only the real challenge I would expect is if you need to face something in yourself about stepping up to any of the level of work that your previous boss used to do. Your next role might be one where you have both the opportunity and challenge to step up. So keep that in mind as you are preparing things.

1

u/Disastrous_Square_10 Jul 01 '25

How about severance?!

1

u/JuliaLouis-DryFist Jul 03 '25

Definitely take the letter! It does make a big difference that someone would take time to write a personal letter about you.

-118

u/Frequent-Voice5100 Jul 01 '25

Well you suck at your job fool! It's the life

13

u/moranya1 Jul 01 '25

I am happy to report my downvote put you at -69, so double win for me!

8

u/potatohats Jul 01 '25

I put them at -71 and feel great about it

-42

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '25

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18

u/BadAcidBassDrops Sous Chef Jul 01 '25

Do these comments make you feel better about yourself?

12

u/salamanderthecoward Jul 01 '25

the fuck is your problem?

1

u/Moondoobious Jul 01 '25

What…is even going on? I can’t figure it one way or the other