I got let go today.

[u/Beeaybri]

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?

[u/MaryBitchards]

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.

[u/Beeaybri → u/MaryBitchards]

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

[u/HeardTheLongWord → u/Beeaybri]

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.

[u/hydrodynamicman → u/HeardTheLongWord]

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.