<\/p>\n
Chefs are among the busiest professionals: long working hour, constantly standing, supervising multiple teams, multiple services\u2026 and in the middle of all this, they still must find the time to create new recipes. From buffet to room service, from banquet to set menus, it\u2019s a never-ending challenge to keep the standards up to their best.<\/p>\n
But we all go for the long run here, and burn out is not an option in a Chef\u2019s life. Because balance is the key word here, we have gathered 6 tricks to help maintain sustainable conditions, working on both your work and your personal life!<\/p>\n
Your working hours most certainly don\u2019t match your partner\u2019s or many of your mates\u2019. But finding time for and with them on your days off will help you release the pressure and take your head off work! Scheduling quality time to catch up can only help your work\/home life disconnection. It can be a picnic on top of Victoria peak, or a romantic gate-away weekend after the busy season.<\/p>\n
In an industry that sometimes promotes smoking and drinking as stress burners, your health condition can get critical as you push boundaries during stressful times. We all know the big rules: no alcohol, no cigarette, favor a balanced diet, avoid high carb and over sweetened snacks\u2026 and of course physical activities.
\nBut at the end of the day, it\u2019s not always that easy to find motivation and be reasonable when we are already facing a highly challenging work environment. We advise you to focus on priority on the following:<\/p>\n
Most likely the last thing you want to do on your day off is cooking. And yet, even the most basic meal plans may help you swap the 3rd or 4th coffee of the day with a proper healthy snack or a smoothie.<\/p>\n
We do not all have access to gym facilities. If you do, you\u2019re all set. But if motivation is not your best friend, we suggest to set alarms on your phone every 2 hours over your working hours. Every time you ring, take 5 minutes to stretch out. Target in priority the parts of your body which feel the sourest at the end of your shift: neck, shoulders are particularly sensitive to anxiety and stress. Look up online for a few stretching postures, that will still not make all your team question your mental state…<\/p>\n
Preserve your sleeping hours at all cost. We know we should all stay away from screens a couple of hours before getting to bed. Easier said than done. But eye mask and earplugs can help isolate from Hong Kong hectic nights, if your building is not the quietest.<\/p>\n
Whatever our job, we all know when our busiest months are. No doubt you know yours. As much as possible \u2013 not that it always is \u2013 try to lighten the rhythm, or at least save yourself, the weeks before. You will need all your energy to power through, and you cannot finish the race if you start it panting.
\nOn a more daily basis, try and identify what specific stress triggers of yours could be worked on. Are there some coping mechanisms you could use? Could you communicate differently with some of your colleagues to help steam out?<\/p>\n
Who wants conflict in their work place? We don\u2019t necessarily want to befriend every other colleague, but most of us care about having friendly relation with our work mates. And yet sometimes, it can get tricky. We just cannot say no, and here we are, dealing with others\u2019 concerns or responsibilities.
\nAs much as you want to preserve your work relationships, sometimes you will have to say no. Not always, just sometimes. And if that manager or director of yours cannot take no for an answer, maybe you will have to say no to somebody else then.<\/p>\n
A team is only as strong as its weakest link. You may want to set the standard in your kitchen to your very own level. And yet, that may mostly cause a tremendous stress on your shoulders and your team members\u2019 as well. If you set the bar too high, your team might not be able to reach the level you wish, causing you frustration and them a sense of
\nBy lowering your standard to a level they can reach, it will get easier for you to delegate. It does not mean the level should be the one of your weakest link obviously. But there might be some room for adjustment to cope with your Sous-Chef\u2019s level, with your Chef de Parti\u2019s level. If they are up the task, you will be able to rely on them and steam out a little more.<\/p>\n
No surprise, Chef life is intense. You probably suspected that from day one. And if you did not know it before stepping it your culinary institute, you probably realized quite fast. But you are working in a somehow hostile environment \u2013 sharp knives and hot steam. You cannot afford to get tired or careless around those. As much as you can, negotiate your shifts to get decent time to sleep and recover physically in between. If possible, try and get 2 days off.
\nAnd whether or not you get those, see if you can move your shifts now and then to break the routine and maybe match your loved one\u2019s free time. Make some changes in your work environment, get inspiration out of your classic go-tos, etc. That may even help your creativity freshen up!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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