By now you may have heard of the term “Great Resignation,” which has certainly influenced the restaurant industry over the past decade. According to a recentRapport 2022conducted by the National Restaurant Association, a majority of restaurants do not have enough staff to support their current service volume.
This raises the question of why this happens and what can be done to solve the problem.
While several factors may be at play, the restaurant industry can be exhausting and many kitchen staff experience the infamous "burnout." But the good news is that there are solutions that can soothe overactive nervous systems and combat chronic stress. Let's look at our five practical tips to prevent burnout.
1. Recognize the red flags
Many of us operate from a base level of stress, and this can be especially true for professional chefs – kitchen chaos is likely an unavoidable part of culinary life. However, there can be times when the stress becomes debilitating and can hinder a chef's ability to function properly.
Here are a few signs that could indicate burnout in the kitchen:
Lack of motivation or passion:This can result in ambivalence towards the once beloved art of cooking.
Trust in coping mechanisms:Some chefs may also deal with this abundance of stress by turning to unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol or tobacco use, and this is not only physically unhealthy but is generally considered unprofessional behavior.
Explosive mood swings:Overworked chefs can struggle to manage their stress, which can result in an explosion of customers and colleagues. This behavior is unprofessional and can affect the skills and communication of the entire kitchen.
Insomnia:Stress often disrupts our neurological and hormonal systems, which affects our sleep patterns. If you suffer from insomnia even after a long day in the kitchen, it could be a sign of burnout.
2. Break the monotony
Did you know that one of the main causes of burnout is the 'unavoidable monotony' of your daily routine? When your body falls into the paralyzing trap of repeating the same set habits, you become almost too comfortable, which can lead to boredom, anger, and an onslaught of other emotions.
So whether you're a business manager or a chef, it's encouraged to try to spice up your daily routine. For example, if you enter the kitchen one day, start a new task instead of your usual task. You can also assign other tasks to the rest of the kitchen staff, which can rejuvenate the entire workplace! Maybe you make a concerted effort to get outside every hour and breathe the fresh air. Whatever you choose to do, the most important thing is to combat these complacent feelings by changing your daily routine.
Escoffier students working together on assignments and breaking the daily monotony to prevent burnout.
3. Practice self-care regularly
Professional chefs may enter the kitchen with varying demands and long working hours. It can also seem impossible to complete tasks with expertise and ease if you don't prioritize your own self-care.
If you don't make time for activities that nourish your nervous system, burnout can strike unexpectedly with no obvious warning signs.
Here are some important self-care tips to prevent burnout in the long term.
Sleep more
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult should get at least7 hours of restevery night. If you have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor.
Eat better
Even as a chef, it's not always easy to give yourself the right nutrients. You might want to consider onehigh carbohydrate diet– such as fruits, whole grains and healthy oils, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Take a vacation
Many chefs suffer from martyr syndrome, the feeling that they are always in the kitchen. However, vacations can be one of the best ways to reduce stress. A vacation can provide a healthy work-life balance, plus you'll likely come back more energized and motivated than before.
Practice regularly
Exercise can be one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term stress and can even improve your physical functions. To make room for an exercise routine, try walking or biking to work, or even recruit a gym buddy for accountability.
Practice gratitude
According toPsychology todayGratitude can improve overall life satisfaction and improve long-term well-being, which can help combat burnout. Maybe try writing down two to three things in a journal each week that you are grateful for, and try to keep those things at the top of your mind in stressful situations.
4. Ignore the other job
It's quite common for chefs to feel tempted to take another job to pay the bills, thus becoming a "jerk." But often, burnout can occur when you under-exert yourself and feel like you can't manage your schedule, combined with the demands of everyday life.
Think about keeping one job and channeling your energy into it. Try to accomplish your tasks with greatness and consider setting achievable milestones. Sometimes this can lead to a promotion, raise and other exciting rewards.
5. Find confidence in your skills
Chef Ming Tsai is a pioneer of fusion cuisine and author of several cookbooks. He called that the way to improve retention and burnoutcomes from the basic training of a chef. Translation: Chefs need to make sure they get the best training possible so they feel confident in their skills.
This 'concept' is part of our human nature: when we feel fully competent, relaxed and safe in our work environment, we naturally feel a sense of satisfaction. This long-lasting feeling can eventually replace feelings of burnout.
The students are inside at EscoffierCulinary artprogram can complete a well-balanced, thorough curriculum that covers a variety of topics and that refines their skills. This includes “culinary fundamentals,” which can include a wide range of cooking terminology, methods and techniques employed in modern kitchens today.
“My training at Escoffier really gave me a good foundation. It has filled a CV gap; it has filled a professional gap and a skills gap. It has helped me in all aspects of my culinary career.”*
Lance McWhorter, graduate of Escoffier Online Culinary Arts
“My training at Escoffier really gave me a good foundation. It has filled a CV gap; it has filled a professional gap and a skills gap. It has helped me in all aspects of my culinary career.”*Learn how to prevent burnout
As mentioned at the beginning, you don't have to let kitchen burnout take over your life as a professional chef. There are ways to reduce persistent stress and implement practices that can benefit you in the short and long term.
One of the best ways to do this is to hone your skills as a chef and take a curriculum from an accredited institution. Experience Escoffier'sculinary school programsto find the right one that will help you achieve your culinary goals!
Enjoyed these tips for chefs? Try these items next time!
- How chefs deal with stress in a professional kitchen
- 5 Ways to Manage Your Time as a Chef
- What culinary training do you need for a professional cooking career?
This article was originally published on January 4, 2016 and has since been updated.
*The information may not reflect the experience of every student. Results and achievements may be based on various factors such as geographic region or past experience.
