I assume one becomes a chef because they have a love for cooking and food and the artistry involved, but I can’t think of anything more eroding to that love of the craft than the kind of working day I see chefs and other kitchen staff go through. It seems to an outsider like me that it’s basically a shift-length panic attack, every day. But that can’t be the case, or no one would do the job!
I work at an events company, basically, in the back office but have worked some events - I get the appeal. Hospitality is grueling work but satisfying work, your customers are right in front of you and you are making them feel better about themselves (in our particular industry), or feeding them and also just pulling off such a ridiculously difficult task, nearly everything going right, it’s amazing. And when I did work at a restaurant, I also enjoyed being part of the customers’ going out night, right? You are there, building that experience, also getting an experience.
My husband doesn’t get it really but I do - if I had fuck you money I would open a bar, with a dinner night each week as an event.
I enjoy home cooking and hosting parties too. Hospitality really is a human sort of endeavor and it is satisfying to make people feel good and comfortable.