the future

Ok, Those of you who know me best will already know this, but I have recently left my position as head chef at the hotel I have been at for the last 4 1/2 years.

There were several reasons, none of them major or controversial- we parted on good terms- I just needed room to sort myself out, and having been serving my notice period for the last three months, with staff shortages and a steady business level, it hasn't been possible to look for, never mind find, a suitable position to just step into.

While I have enjoyed the last few years there, as we have improved standards while maintaining the same staffing levels, I have increasingly found myself giving up my own time to play catch-up on the workload, with little chance of regaining time which i lost to working 7 days a week.

I am not bitter, as I said, I left on good terms, but feeling like an old man when I wake every morning at the ripe old age of 38 has left me feeling that there is more to life.

Thanks to those of you who have been so supportive to me over the last few years, and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.

I am seeing this as a positive thing, and am exploring my options, including some outside of the kitchen and away from the trade.

many thanks

Steve