Does The Bear need more romance? Restaurant staff weigh in: “There’s a lot of making out in walk-ins”

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the prevalence of romantic and sexual relationships among restaurant staff, particularly in the high-stress environment of professional kitchens. It explores the perspectives of former restaurant workers on the topic, highlighting the common occurrence of hookups, affairs, and messy entanglements within the industry.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Culinary Industry and Workplace Relationships

1. What are some of the key aspects about the culinary industry that the show "The Bear" gets right, according to the article?

• The article mentions that "The Bear" accurately portrays the lingo, the exhaustion after long shifts, and the crushing pressures of working in a kitchen.
• It also references a scene depicting a chef using meth to cope with the demands of the job.

2. What does the article suggest "The Bear" is missing when it comes to depicting workplace relationships in the culinary industry?

• According to the article, restaurant staff feel that the show is unrealistic in not depicting any romantic or sexual relationships among the kitchen staff, as such relationships are very common in the industry.

3. What are some of the reasons cited for the prevalence of workplace relationships in restaurants?

• The article mentions factors such as long hours, free-flowing alcohol, and the high-stress, high-intensity environment that can lead to hookups and romantic entanglements among restaurant staff.

[02] Real-Life Examples of Workplace Relationships in Restaurants

1. What are some of the specific examples provided in the article of workplace relationships and their consequences?

• The article describes instances of:
  • A server sleeping with a manager in exchange for perks like an easier schedule and better sections
  • Staff having sex in the upstairs seating area and after closing
  • A server divorcing his wife (who was also a server) to marry the restaurant's baker, leading to frequent conflicts
  • A server divorcing the baker to marry a bartender who also worked at the same restaurant

2. How do the article's sources characterize the nature of these workplace relationships?

• The article suggests that while kitchen staff romances are rare, messy hookups and short-term relationships are common among waitstaff and other restaurant employees.
• One source describes the "insanity and horniness" that can arise in the restaurant industry due to the high-stress environment.

[03] Perspectives on Workplace Relationships in Restaurants

1. What are the contrasting views expressed in the article about the likelihood of romantic relationships among high-caliber chefs like those depicted in "The Bear"?

• Some chefs argue that cooks aiming for Michelin-star level success are too professional to engage in workplace romances.
• However, other sources suggest that smaller restaurants may be more conducive to such relationships developing.

2. How does the article characterize the potential benefits and drawbacks of workplace relationships in the restaurant industry?

• The article suggests that dating within the workplace can be easier for restaurant staff due to the long hours and demanding pace of the job, which makes it difficult to meet romantic prospects elsewhere.
• However, it also notes that the high-stress environment and frequent hookups and breakups can add to the overall stress and drama in the workplace.