Chef Ethics

[jgm]

Although I don't work in the food industry and never have, ethical issues are part of any job at anytime. And I have been fired for sticking to my principles in the past. It's so easy to say, "oh no, you can't lie, you can't cheat, etc" when your name is not the one on the bills.

I was fortunate, at the time, to be the only person who depended on my support. If I'd had children to feed and clothe, I might well have kept my mouth shut. Am I a better person for doing what I did? I'm not drunk enough to get into that one. Did I change anyone or anything by doing what I did? No. The same things are going on there, 20 years later, that were going on there when I left. Had my parents not had the means and the willingness to help support me, I literally would have ended up in a homeless shelter. My community is a feast-and-famine place, and it took quite a long time to find a job, even though I was willing to do just about any kind of work.

Issues of ethics are seldom black and white. For instance, I have only a small problem with the saffron rice issue. I've ordered dishes that were supposed to be served with "saffron rice" before, and knowing what I know about the cost of saffron, I didn't really believe that the color in the rice came from saffron. I have a huge problem with the pork-for-veal issue, since it impacts those who do not eat pork for religious reasons. The only saving grace in that whole issue is that most, if not all, of those who abstain, are onto the pork-for-veal thing (it certainly isn't new) and never order veal in a restaurant.

So, as someone who has taken all of the time and effort it takes to mend a wrecked credit rating (not to mention the downside of having one), and repairing all of the other damage to my career that happened when I got canned, I think you played it right. You tried to be truthful as much as you could, and you got out of there as soon as you could.

As for those who urged that you sacrifice your career on the Altar of Truth and Ethics, I am concerned that you're a bit naive, but the fact that you exist at all renews my faith in humankind. It's good to know you're still out there.

Let me point out something else. You can't properly care for others if you don't take care of yourself. I spent all those months on unemployment, depressed and desperate, but with my principles intact. And during that time, I had friends, relatives, and neighbors who had needs I would ordinarily have been able to help with, but being someone who was not really making ends meet, I was not in a position to do anything for them most of the time.

So let's weigh some things. Which is more important:

Buying diapers and formula for a young mother whose ex-husband yet again did not drop off the child support as promised, or allowing someone to believe that the rice they ordered has saffron in it? (At 8:00 on Sunday night, there are no agencies who will help with this, in my community. Come back in the morning.)

Driving an elderly, widowed neighbor to a nearby community to see a medical specialist, or serving someone a pastry that's been frozen, and telling them it's fresh?

Taking food to a friend who has AIDS and can't work, or serving previously-frozen scallops to someone who thinks they're fresh?

These are all issues I faced while unemployed. We put dish towels that we laundered in my washing machine on the baby's bottom, and called friends until we found formula to borrow. The elderly neighbor did not get to the specialist. Whether that eventually contributed to her death, I don't know. The friend with AIDS got the last package of saltines and the last can of tuna from my pantry. He needed better food than that, but at least he got that. I called my parents the next day and asked them for more money.

Look at the big picture, folks. It just ain't a simple situation. It would be nice if it were. And believe me, you haven't heard a fraction of what I went through.

Edited June 20, 2008 by jgm (log)

[dockhl]

jgm~

And that, especially in today's economy, is the way it is.

Thank you for that sobering reality check. I hope things are MUCH better for you now. The fact that you had ANY concern for others, let alone a great concern, during that time is inspiring.

In the cosmic scheme of things, frozen scallops won't matter. But I agree with chefgregory that these things are offensive and soul sucking.

chefgregory~

get out ASAP. Don't look back, I'd say, don't even look for a rec since the people you are trying to impress probably know what goes on there.

You cannot work for long in that sort of atmosphere without it taking its toll. Keep the job to pay your bills, but get out .............

Please keep us posted. The lines between good and bad tend to get blurred during economic downturns. It is what it is, and you have to take care of your family. It WILL get better.

Kathy

[chefgregory]

So this begs my question to you - do you cheat?  Do you work for yourself and can afford that principal - or are you one of the many posters in this forum that is all hat and no cattle

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Do I cheat - I don't understand what you are asking me I "cheat" at. The hat and cattle reference I don't get.

I agree that following "orders" is very important and as an employee I have said to them (the bosses) "you can have it your way, no problem, you sign the checks you can run your business anyway you wish" and then I quietly inform them I didn't agree with this, that and something else (give notice) and find something else, somewhere else.

This was never an issue before in my career really. If I work in a ricky's/denny's/etc place I have different expectations of the food they serve. I would expect them to use pre-packages products, etc.

It was the misrepresentation of products that restaurants do and the ethics and morality of doing that I wanted to discuss.

And YES - I used to work for myself, and I don't find a lot of $costs$ involved in adhering to moral ecthical behaviour. Patience and planning can aid this cause a lot.

I want to produce food I can be proud of, I want to have impressed happy customers saying "wow". I thrive and love the energy of restaurant business. I will never again work for a place I would be ashamed of the food going on the plate. A chef once told me "if you wouldn't serve it to your mother, don't sent it".

Cheers

GB

[chefgregory]

Wow - holy cow.

Yes, there are huge conseqeunces to our actions and sometimes (you are soo right) the shades of grey between the black and the white really get blurred.

I applaud you, and firmly believe everyday we live and stand our moral and ethical grounds (whether spiritually and/or through religion) it helps us be a better person.

In the big picture of LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING - these food issues evaporate very quickly.

I am a very spiritual person and have a tremondeous love of life. Life is for the living, help those who don't know how, or don't have the means to help themselves.

A very important teacher once taught me "everyone is ALWAYS trying to do the best they can, with the resources they have". My aim outside of cuisine is help people find new and more powerful resources, so they can live their lives in ways they find better for themselves - we are all different, and we all need many kinds of support.

We do all lie; even those who say they don't. There are white lies that are told to protect peoples feelings, to not upset or annoy our fellow human beings. As long as your lies don't go against your personal values, your own morality and ethics then those are (imho) acceptable lies.

I think I digressed a little here, didn't mean to go quite so metaphysical on ya:-) I just enjoy deep, meaningful conversation about topics that touch peoples lives and hearts.

Cheers

GB

[Jakea222]

I do have to say that it is good to know that a few people like you -- and me exist out there. I don't cut corners - I don't serve things I would not eat - did I drop some bread today in the floor as I burned my arm coming out of the oven with it - yep - did I pick it up inspect it and use it - yep. BUT our floors are clean enough to eat off of so it did not bother me. Hang in there - find a job before you leave one though and you won't have to bring things up.