Chef Stress and Kitchens

Chef stress and kitchens

Editor’s note: Chef Stress and Kitchens was originally published in February 2016 and most recently updated in May 2022.

This month we’ve interviewed a range of exec and head chefs from our network to find out how they minimise chef stress in the kitchen and motivate their staff. The chefs we spoke to come from branded restaurants through to Michelin star level kitchens.

Here’s a roundup of the key themes that emerged from our conversations.

Passion and skill are key

Most of the chefs we talked to believe you need a passionate, skilled team in the kitchen. This is key running smoothly from a production point of view. But also to maintaining motivation and minimising stress levels in what we all know can be a high-pressure environment.

Hire passion and train skill was referred to a lot during our conversations. So was the need for proper training and development programmes if leaders want to build, grow and maintain highly skilled kitchen teams.

Strong, calm chef leadership

Good communication is a central theme in minimising staff stress, and maximising motivation. Giving clear instructions at all times supports that. When team members know exactly the quality and service level expected everyone’s clear on what they need to deliver (and why) helping make service easier.

Many kitchen leaders we spoke to said remaining clear, calm and focused keeps stress levels down for everyone in the kitchen. Though most were human enough to admit that sometimes that’s easier said than done!

One told us they purposefully never shouted whatever was going on. There had been way too much shouting on their route to the top! But they are not wrong. Constantly shouting at people is proven not to work. They get used to it, so over time they become less and less responsive.

Read: Ten Ways to Reduce Chef Stress

Get the right team dynamic and keep it

Teamwork is essential in a commercial kitchen. When a team gels and works as a cohesive whole, it’s a valuable asset worth safeguarding.

Trust between kitchen members ranked highly in building a team dynamic that minimises stress and maximises motivation. Frequently we heard that the better trained kitchen team makes building a high trust environment easier.

Examples like rotating the menu or chefs around sections are ways for the whole team to keep stimulated and grow trust in each another.

Many chefs spoke about how offering career support and training opportunities in exchange for a team members’ dedication, commitment and passion for their work also paid dividends. By getting an idea of the aspirations of each employee, many kitchen leaders found it much easier to keep motivation levels up. Great for creating the right team dynamic.

Read: Creating Great Kitchen Teams Chef

Chef stress and kitchens, in conclusion

The need for a kitchen team spirit and bond is very apparent from these conversations – all for one and one for all!

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