Speak Up

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Calling All Wives!

Lauren, a writer I recently met, is writing an article and would like some input from wives/girlfriends of chefs and other restaurant people. See her note below.


Four years ago, my father's close friend, a chef, committed suicide by driving his car down the wrong side of the interstate and crashing into an 18-wheeler. He died almost instantly. His two small children in the back seat of the car were not hurt. At the time, I wondered what could drive a person to do this and if it had anything to do with the ups and downs of his culinary career.

I am now writing an article about substance abuse and depression in the food service industry. I know it's prevalent - government studies have confirmed that - but I don't think the general public is really aware of these trends.

I am looking for chefs in the NYC area who have struggled with alcohol, depression and/or drug use on the job. I am looking for candid stories from people who don't mind talking on the record.

The article is being edited by an editor at New York Magazine, and will be pitched to another publication later this spring.

The best way to reach me is laurensausser@gmail.com

Thanks, Lauren

Friday, January 22, 2010

Here I Am!!

I know it had been a terribly long time since I've wrote anything. I wish I could write here more.

My recovery from the accident has been progressing well. Over the Christmas break I went to my folks house in Columbus, Ohio and didn't really do much of anything. Well, I ate a lot and went shopping a few times, but overall I took it easy. Around New Year's Eve my knee finally stopped hurting me. I'm able to walk fine now, but I am suffering from some severe back pain. I'm sure it's a combination of my third trimester and the accident. I have less than 10 weeks until Maverik Hudson is born! I can't believe it!!

Erik chose the name and it grew on me quite quickly. We love the fact that it's unique and it means "independent thinker". Plus, you'll notice the spelling of ERIK in MAVERIK too. Erik thought of that too. I chose the middle name after the Hudson River. We lived along the Hudson since we moved to the east coast over five years ago. We've been driving up and down it, traveling by train underneath it, and laying in the grass along it- I just love that river.

Along to some restaurant info...

Citysearch.com is looking for people who love going out in the city and want the chance to win cool stuff just for writing Citysearch reviews of places they’re going to anyway. It isn't just a program for aspiring writers, either. Anyone is eligible and everyone who participates will rack up rewards (think free meals, free booze, free stuff, access to exclusive Citysearch events, etc). Some contributors will also have the chance to join their editorial team eventually as professional, paid freelance writers, with their articles featured on the homepage.

Anyway, if you are interested, you can sign up at: http://newyork.citysearch.com/members/start . Just let
Keith Wagstaff know when you’ve reviewed anything and he’ll mark it down so you can get free stuff.

Keith Wagstaff
City Editor
P: (212) 373-7761 F: (212) 586-2098
keith.wagstaff@citysearch.com

Food is Love,
Hilary


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Guest Blogger: John

Dear Chef Wives,

I'm not sure if anyone has done this yet, but if not then id love to be the first. Id like to give you a look inside the mind of a chef in a relationship. A little back story, I'm a 18 year old cook who has been in the industry sense I was 13. In the past two years I have been working more and more in my current restaurant where I am now a sous chef. As I have moved up through the ranks my hours have increased putting a serious strain on my relationship. When I was fifteen I met my ex-girlfriend Lyndsay, who I dated for two years and nine months, in the end she cheated on me, and when I asked why she would do this to someone she loved I realized the nature of the beast, "I wasn't getting the attention I deserved, your always to busy with your job.". I was left heart broken, and confused. Following this relationship I focused on my work, until I met my girlfriend Christine who had been a friend for many years. We started dating and were both very busy with our job, she works in retail so she works nights as well, but then things began to fall apart, I would come home after 10 hour work days and 5 hours of school, to not being able to see her because she was out with friends, slowly this began to come to a end and then we split up.

Currently Christine and I are beginning to get back together, but here is what I don't understand and maybe you woman may help me find a answer, why do friends come before your significant other? I mean I understand you have to hangout with friends, there important to, but shouldn't I get some attention, is it really enough to see her every other couple of days for a hour or so? For example: today I went to her house because she wanted to "see me", I was very excited as I have this week off from work while the restaurant is closed, she was off tonight as well, I walked in, got a kiss, and then heard "alright ill call you later, I gotta go get ready, i a\m going out with the girls tonight". Don't get me wrong I truly love Christine, I always have and so has she but I just don't know how to fix this issue.

But here is my point I really want to point out is us chefs really do try, we really do love you, and we really do think about you while were on the line. All of the cooks I work with are married and we do have a serious commitment to our relationships. I really hope no one out there thinks we don't care just because were busy, we really do wanna be with you. When I met Christine I made the point that I do work a lot and have a serious commitment to my job and food and she does understand and I'm very blessed. I understand how hard it is to be in a relationship with a chef, we tend to be a bit grouchy and I truly respect all of you out there willing to try a relationship with us. Just please understand we want to be next to you ever second just like you want to.

Regards,

John