What's Your Least Favorite Holiday to Work?
Welcome to Chow Bella's Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com.
When you're in the food business, holidays can mean big money. What's the worst one to work? I asked a few Valley chefs and restaurateurs and this is what they had to say:
Tricycle Red Projects at Etsy.com Anti-Valentine Stickers
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Romeo Taus
Chef and Owner, Romeo's Euro Cafe
Valentine's Day! Guests have unrealistic, heightened expectations. The crew of any restaurant (if you can get them to show up) are expected to be in the "feelings" business and service becomes servitude. There are a few big paydays in our industry and this is the biggest. This makes for a very long day, and we hate to disappoint our crew and guests. I'd rather spend it with my wife!
Chef Anthony Rivera
District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
Any chef worth his or her weight in salt will cringe when the thought of Mother's Day creeps up on the calendar. Mother's Day can be a nightmare because everyone takes Mom out for brunch or dinner and holds higher expectations than usual since it's Mom's special day.
Takeshi Triniapoli
Corporate Sushi Chef, Kona Grill
New Year's Day, because most employees over-celebrate the night before, causing downgraded performance, punctuality, or both. Nobody likes working with, or managing, a hungover employee.
Farah Khalid
Chef and Owner, Curry Corner
My least favorite holiday to work on is Eid, as it is an important holiday and a good time to spend with family and friends. However, its also one of our busiest days of the year! It is one of the days you get to see everybody, as all of the customers that day come for an authentic flavor.
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