Chef and Manager Eating at Chefs de France

[paintnolish]

It wouldn't bother me. I work in a pretty nice restaurant and sometimes the chef and managers will eat together in the dining room, especially when they are having a meeting about new food or menu changes. We have had guests inquire about what they are eating, though! If they are just eating lunh or something, they will do so in a closed off room. Servers (in uniform) are never allowed to eat on the floor. We're just peons!

 

[dislaney]

I wouldn't have a problem with this at all. They need to eat too and I would be happy to see that they will eat what they cook!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

It wouldn't bother me..I have seen it before at other places besides Disney. In NYC, I glanced what they were eating to see if it was on the menu...it was one of the items. I think its a good thing personally.

 

[BriarRosie]

My first thought was that they were going over menu items and possible changes. I wouldn't be offended by that. Especially if they were trying to make improvements!

 

[aubriee]

But is a chef's work uniform, or a manager's suit, considered "costume"?

When I was on the Backstage Magic tour last May, we got to go into the costuming dept, laundry services, CM break areas, etc. One of the places we went was where the CMs pick up their costumes. There were rows of chef's uniforms hanging right across from where we were standing. While we were there a chef came in, dropped off about a week's supply of dirty uniforms and picked up seven more.

As far as a chef and manager eating out in the restaurant, it wouldn't bother me at all. In fact, it'd probably make me feel pretty good that the staff eats their own food.

 

[LovesTimone]

Chefs love to cook, to eat and France is the mother of the culinary world. This is typical and acceptable for the back of the house. If they were not eating out in the front of the house then I would not want to eat there. Personal it says the food's good sit back, relax and Bon' Appetite

 

[TillyMarigold]

There were several managers (4) eating in Columbia Harbour House when I was there last time. I mean, they took off their nametags, but they were wearing suits and earpieces, what else would they be?

By the way, let me just say, I am so glad to see Disney has relaxed its dress code for managers! When I was on the college program, all managers had to wear a suit jacket at all times.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I can remember not only the managers...but the entire staff of Bistros and Cafes in Paris taking turns eating at unused tables during meal times....particularly dinners...
Why shouldn't they?

1) It is not a matter of eating their own food.
2) It is a matter of being on-stage in costume and not working.
3) This is a cardinal no-no for Disney.
4) Per Disney, it can spoil the mode or the "scene/performance". *
5) I have eaten on-stage before.
6) But, always had to put on a sweater or something to not show the costume.

* This is why the utilidoors under MK and the backstage roads and paths at other parks. Walt got tired of seeing CM's with (example) an Adventureland costume walking through Fantasyland, even to get to their work location.

 

[pigletto]

Having waitressed in quite a few places years ago that is not all that unusual. These people deserve a meal break too and likely it was a working meal.

If the restaurant was overrun and crowded and the staff was getting slammed.. then I would have a problem with it, but just taking their break? No issue.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I have worked at high end restaurants in LA & SF and have eaten in the same. It is just not good etiquette. As a diner, it would bother me. Being a guest at Disney it would really bother me especially if they were on-stage and in costume. If they were in their street clothes so the guests did not know who they are, fine but I really don't want the chef or the servers eating out in the dining room with me. I don't know the lay out of the back room of the restaurants but I would assume there are places for cast members to eat.

 

[Burnt Toast]

They could be testing new menu items or anything like that. You never know and it's not good to assume as it might be allowed for higher up restaurant staff to do so.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I just read the OP to my husband who is a chef and restuarant manager and he would like to know...where should they eat!? He said in a typical 12 hour day they are lucky to take 10 min to sit down and eat. There are days he doesn't get around to eating at all. Feel happy for those guys that they had time to sit and enjoy their own work!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

where should they eat!?
. . . breakrooms
. . . cafeteria
. . . other back-stage areas

He said in a typical 12 hour day they are lucky to take 10 min to sit down and eat.
. . . chefs and cooks at WDW have unionized break periods
. . . they get 60 minutes per 8-hr shift
. . . they get an extra 15-minute break for a 10-hr day
. . . the make-up of the periods can change
. . . some do a 20-minute and 40-minute
. . . some do two 30-minute
. . . some do two 15-minute and a 30-minute (not many)

 

[awaldo]

where should they eat!?
. . . breakrooms
. . . cafeteria
. . . other back-stage areas

He said in a typical 12 hour day they are lucky to take 10 min to sit down and eat.
. . . chefs and cooks at WDW have unionized break periods
. . . they get 60 minutes per 8-hr shift
. . . they get an extra 15-minute break for a 10-hr day
. . . the make-up of the periods can change
. . . some do a 20-minute and 40-minute
. . . some do two 30-minute
. . . some do two 15-minute and a 30-minute (not many)

But, I doubt they are REQUIRED breaks. Many people vested in their occupation do not take the maximum allowed breaks. I just fail to see how this would influence or effect anyone's enjoyment of their meal at WDW. Seeing a member of the Fife and Drum Corp walking around without their wig eating a funnel cake, maybe. But the Manager and Chef eating IN THEIR OWN RESTAURANT, discretely, a non-issue in my book.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to have a problem with it.

 

[awaldo]

1) It is not a matter of eating their own food.
2) It is a matter of being on-stage in costume and not working.
3) This is a cardinal no-no for Disney.
4) Per Disney, it can spoil the mode or the "scene/performance". *
5) I have eaten on-stage before.
6) But, always had to put on a sweater or something to not show the costume.

* This is why the utilidoors under MK and the backstage roads and paths at other parks. Walt got tired of seeing CM's with (example) an Adventureland costume walking through Fantasyland, even to get to their work location.

I agree with all of this, except could a chef eating his food and the manager doing the same not be part of working? It could easily be justified under quality control, menu arrangement, etc. I think it mainly hinges on Disney's definition of "working", and for those individuals responsible for the success of the restaurant, it may very well fall within that scope. Being that it is a "French" restaurant, maybe that is a nuance that is part of the "show" you speak of.

 

[klinlin]

I have worked at high end restaurants in LA & SF and have eaten in the same. It is just not good etiquette. As a diner, it would bother me. Being a guest at Disney it would really bother me especially if they were on-stage and in costume. If they were in their street clothes so the guests did not know who they are, fine but I really don't want the chef or the servers eating out in the dining room with me. I don't know the lay out of the back room of the restaurants but I would assume there are places for cast members to eat.

I have to disagree. I have worked in tons of restaurants in NY, both as a manager, and as an employee, and it is common practice for managers to eat in the dining room. There is no place to eat in the back. No one is allowed to eat in a food prep area, that is a major health code violation. The only space in the back of the house considered a non food prep area is the manager's office. In my experience, the office is usually barely spacious enoough for two people to be in there at once without feeling claustrophobic.

 

[Kae]

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to have a problem with it.

Agreed.

I have a friend who works at a nice place & the whole staff is fed before the place opens while they are going over the specials. The owner started as a bus boy when he was about 15 & used to work hungry sometimes so he feeds his staff daily.

Kae