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/Jae_Hyun]

I dealt with a similar situation earlier this year, haven't been in the business for as long as you, but got laid off for the first time at any job I've ever had. I took a sous job at a place with a concept I was really excited about within the restaurant group I already worked at. The place was struggling, but the owner said "his heels were dug in." We were closed about 6 months later. They offered to find me something else within the group but I was so distraught that I never really followed up. Honestly, its been about 6 months since and I'm still not really over it.

One thing that really upset me about the situation is that I don't feel like I ever got to show off the best version of myself. I had some adjusting to do since a lot of things were different and I just didn't have enough time to be the chef I wanted to be there.

Honestly pretending to be fine probably made me feel worse about it in the long run, I was a lot more upset about it than I wanted to admit at the time.

[u/Beeaybri → u/Jae_Hyun]

Aw man. That's tough. I'm sure you went in with great ideas and the best of intentions. And its so hard to leave on those circumstances and say "it could have been so good" to yourself. But! Remember that for as good as it could have been, one day you're going to be at a place thst is 10x better for you and more stable.

And its okay to not be okay. Its okay to still be upset. That's hard. But dont let yourself get caught up in the what ifs. Because I know eventually you'll end up somewhere that you truly love.

[u/OddOpal88 → u/Beeaybri]

Damn, OP, no wonder they were all in tears. You seem like a true leader.