OK, none of my friends are around so I need to vent! Here I was minding my own business, running a small dessert catering business out of my house, when out of the blue a local restaurant called me. They wanted me to do all their desserts for them in-house. I had to think long and hard but figured what the heck it is only a couple of days a week. So I started the week before xmas but really didn't start going until after new years. Every thing I made sold out and the owners were very happy. They even said I could work up to 30 hours a week. (I only worked 15 as I have a 4 year old in school) Then last week they hired a new cook with a lot of experience and I guess they have to pay him alot of money, because the owner called me today and said that he couldn't afford me anymore but wanted to use me for parties, etc. I drilled him and said "Is that the only reason" and he assured me that it was.

What's ironic is just last week I was saying to myself that I wasn't thrilled with the new guy because he was very immature and brought being a jackass to a new level. I was not enjoying myself, and since I don't have to work, I was going to see how this week went. I'm really bummed, but relieved at the same time.

Thanks guys for listening.

Well...all I can say is I hope he picks his nose while cooking and can't make a cake for crap..lol hehe

Just look at it as "It was fun while it lasted" This may have just opened up a new door for you... look forward to it!!! Now you can charge him extra for his parties..... HA HA

It sounds like they are really going to get what they pay for and when it blows up in their face and they call you back RAISE your asking price!!! You are valuable too!

I'm so sorry that happend to you,But rest assured
they will be calling you again as soon as the honeymoon's over, You have already seen the jackass side of this guy and soon the boss will too.
If I can offer some advise? I would say just wait it out.
maxie

awww Izzy that really bites. But, the positive is that they do like you and your work or he wouldnt continue to do business with you. I agree that you can just wait it out. And when they do call you back for more time, raise the price. You have talent and worth. Plus, a small break is always good with little ones.

BellaRosa

Too funny Kayday!

You guys are so sweet. This is just what I was looking for! I'm still here thinking he was not telling me the truth even though I asked him twice. Why do we always beat ourselves up! Is it the woman in us or the artist?

I'm so sorry this happened to you! From my years of working in restaurants I know what jerks cooks can be, so I'm willing to bet this guy was threatened by you and your desserts. He probably told the owner he didn't want someone elses product in his kitchen, it's an ego thing. I hate to sound negative, but I've worked in enough restaurants to know that chefs are not always the nicest people, most of them are lovely people but some really need attitude adjustments.Anyway,as I was saying he probably only wants something he can take credit for.
Wow, I'm really sorry if I sound like a bitter, chef hater- I'm not, honest.

monstermom, I too have worked iwth a lot of egotistical chefs. What is unfortunate is when I started there were three of us including the owner who worked the line, we were all in our 40's and there was not an ego to be seen. Then in walked this guy, not even as the head chef. The first few days he was fine. Then he got comfortable and his true 30 year old ego colors came out. They really needed help in the kitchen, and the fact that they got this experienced guy was great for the owner because he didn't have to cook anymore. They hired me originally because the owner didn't want to have make desserts anymore because he was really burning out. Now that he doesn't ahve to work the line anymore, he has time to do the desserts. I think that is the real bottom line.

Just remember when the owner calls you begging for you to come back, your wage went up!
I admire you for even wanting to work the line, to me that is hell on Earth. I would much rather work as a short order cook. That way, I didn't have to worry that the broiler guy was on the phone, and the saute person was having a cigarette. I liked knowing that when I was doing short order, it was all me, if I messed up I couldn't blame anybody but myself.
Enjoy your extra time to yourself and your 4 yr. old.

Actually I was the pastry chef in my own kitchen. I'm too old to work the line!

Most people could say they were looking for a job when they found that one and go out looking again. You weren't looking for a job so losing this one probably is more of a low blow to the ego than anything else. I'd be looking for a job with this guy's competition!! That would soothe my ego more than anything else. Like everyone else says, make him pay if he calls and asks you to come back.

Enjoy your extra time with your daughter. Before you know it, she'll be through school and gone. I haven't figured out how one day mine was 4 and then all of a sudden she's married with 4 kids.

Diane

so sorry but since word gets around in the business maybe a competitor could use some help I am sure they have heard about your work.

funny this is just what I am thinking about doing except my son is the new young chef.... and it is the old day cooks he has made mad. If the new general manager gets his money together he plans on buying the place and ds will be the executive chef at age 24 WOW and the talk is he wants better desserts and I am considering it so I can quit childcare and do my cakes.

never worked in that situation before and my son would actually be my boss.... how crazy is that?

Good luck. I wouldn't want my son being my boss. I was his boss when I owned a cafe and it caused strife every time I turned around. Of course, he was a teenager and not real ambitious. He worked with a cafe full of women and listened to way too much "woman talk". I didn't have to sit him down and tell him very much about girls and such as he learned it all from them.

I just don't know if I could take orders from my kids. They already think they know more than me and what I should or shouldn't do!!!

Diane

Well, I had to go into the cafe today to pick up my stuff, and I was assured by the owners wife that it had nothing to do with anything but money. She didn't even find out her husband was planning on letting me go until last night. She made sure that I would be available to do cakes, and pre-booked me for a party on the 18th. I feel much better now. Thanks for all the support ladies!

this set up is probably better if you don't really need to work ..this gives you more flexibility which is the most important thing for a mom with young children... you pick the jobs

I'm glad your feeling better. Things will probably work out better for you this way.

Aw, Izzy, I'm sorry. But look at it this way. They're probably going to fire his guy eventually. You just keep cranking out those desserts, professional, ontime and easy to work with. They'll come crawling back!

I imagine it would make me really upset and start to doubt myself. But you can't think that way. You are very talented and you are worth more than they can pay you. Something good will come around when it is the right time. When one door shuts, another one opens...everytime.