The Unsung Heroes

Who are the unsung hero’s of the restaurant?! Well if you ask me I think it’s the dishwashers and the hosts! The people that work in these positions probably have it the worst and don’t get the recognition they deserve from the public. I’m blessed with the young adults I have filling these spots at the Precinct!

We have some newer employees working for us and after a short time working for us one gentleman said to me where did you find these kids?? I looked at him and i said “I know right! These kids are amazing! I’m so blessed!” He’s like I have never worked with more hardworking teenagers!

We have 3 highschool kids that all take turns hosting and manning our dishpit, or the “Swamp” as they call it. (It’s hot, wet, and gross in there) there is absolutely nothing glamorous about washing dishes, let me tell you that’s where I started out many moons ago! But these 3 kiddos come in every day and are truly the Unsung Hero’s of the restaurant!

They all are straight A students, are in sports & theater & manage to work 3-4 nights a week and do it with a smile on their faces! Last but certainly not least is Alan. Alan is our special needs gentleman that works side by side with our teenage crew in the pit! You will see Alan buzzing through the kitchen or patiently watching my every move! He knows whats in every dish I make. I joke with him when he is he gonna cook and give me a day off! Alan is pure joy! He has never once came into work without a smile on his face and we all look forward to our pre-shift hugs! When those dishes start pouring in he’s back there making the magic happen!

But Let me fill you in on what these folks shifts really entail.

Hosting they deal with the “Just happy to be dining with us people, the folks excited for an amazing experience people”, and the regulars that know them by name, but they also have to deal with the occasional hangry folks, or the I dont want to sit at this table please move me (when we have a full house and a very unique dining room set up)people that can be a little less than understanding. These teenagers are learning major life skills on how to carry themselves, find a voice, confidence, independence, finesse, manners, pivoting, how to handle stressful situations, multitasking, communication, and much more. It may seem to the naked eye that hosting is just seating people and giving them menus, but it really is not. There is a-lot of emotions that can happen at a host station for them and for our guests. It is a delicate balance of keeping your eye on the whole restaurant and seeing where they can help and oh ya they have to answer the phone to!! They do all this with a smile on their face and they crush it!

They are a customers first welcoming interaction and the last one to thank you and see you out the door for the evening!

Now on to “The Swamp/The Pit” The dish kids…

These humble folks are managing an overwhelming plethora of dirty pots, pans, plates, glasses and silverware I have the utmost respect for them. If you haven’t worked in a commercial kitchen you really don’t know. They come in after 8 hours of school possibly an additional couple hours of extra curricular activities and then walk into a pit full of the days prep dishes, only to get that mountain done and start with daily service dishes for the next how many hours that never seem to stop. On top of that they are making sure the kitchens saute pans, sizzlers, pizza pans, and all the things are scrubbed and clean and back on our line so we can keep pumping out the food for our guests! Well and it doesn’t end there…

Cleanup at the end of service is no easy task. Bus tubs of everything from the kitchen and the dining room flood there sinks. It often feels as if there is no end in sight. But our kids and Alan just keep going! The best part of it for me is most nights they are smiling and laughing in there together! Maybe they are making fun of us old folks! I dont know! Lol Its fine, i don’t care, they are killing it!

But for real, Riley, Sammy, Maddie, and Alan are some pretty amazing members of our team and they deserve this recognition. They have all been with is I think over at least a year and half. They have created a bond with each other that I hope stays strong when the part ways after high-school and the Precicnt. It has been my pleasure watching them all grow and come into themselves! Riley is a senior this year and that “mama bear” in me is already dreading fall when he heads to college. I’m not sure what Precinct life will be without him. I hope and pray Maddie and Sammy stay on with us through their high-school careers. I think I got Alan for a while he’s part of this family!

I’m not just going to miss them cause they are all amazing hard workers but because all 4 of them are a joy to be around and have a special place in my heart.

So next time you are in and greeted by one of them at the host station or see them putting dishes away please know these 4 are really the “Heros” of the Precicnt!