5 Comments
User's avatar
LSWCHP's avatar

I asked the "why" after reading your previous article, and this answers it beautifully.

I understand perfectly. As a young man I was an infantry soldier. The intensity, the flow state, the team working together for a common goal are also to be found in that...errmmm....line of work. Later in life as an engineer, I found the same things again. Enormous pressure, enormous personal satisfaction and rewards from the products of your work. It would be dispiriting to spend a life at work and not feel that rush.

You write marvellously well and provide great insights into an environment I've only ever glimpsed through a kitchen door. Thank you very much.

Expand full comment
Brian Donnelly's avatar

Thank you for reading. The military and kitchens are set up the same and have a lot of crossover. I've worked with a few ex-soldiers, and so long as they have a mission, they're unstoppable.

Expand full comment
The Crunchy Catholic's avatar

As a former line cook turned (restaurant) bookkeeper who married a line cook, after reading your previous article and the comments I had to reflect on what I loved about that life and you nailed it in this article! I’ve found that particular flow state is hard to reproduce in any other work environment ( sports maybe?? ) but I used to call it riding the dragon, it’s a full on adrenaline rush, time disappears and it’s just you your crew and the food. Exhausting, wrecks havoc on any ‘normal’ personal life and you don’t know unless you know ..

Expand full comment
Brian Donnelly's avatar

It’s a life like no other that’s for sure, like the mafia once your in it’s tough to get out

Expand full comment
Brian Donnelly's avatar

Thank you for reading my piece.

Expand full comment