A former waitress who left the industry after a traumatic experience finds a new appreciation for her past work after watching the television series 'The Bear'.
Key facts
- •The author worked as a waitress in a fine-dining restaurant in the Cotswolds eight years ago.
- •A specific incident involving a spilled plate of oysters on a customer led the author to quit her job.
- •The author initially avoided watching 'The Bear' because the kitchen chaos reminded her of her own past experiences.
- •The episode 'Forks' helped the author understand the value of service and the importance of taking pride in one's work.
- •The author now applies the lessons of discipline and purpose she learned from the show to her current career as a writer.
Eight years ago, the author worked as a waitress at a fine-dining restaurant in the Cotswolds, an experience she describes as filled with anxiety and failure. After a series of mishaps, including spilling oysters on a customer, she quit and spent years avoiding restaurants. However, watching the television series 'The Bear' eventually helped her process those memories and reframe her attitude toward her past work and professional life.
The impact of past restaurant work
The author recalls her time in the Cotswolds as a period of intense stress, marked by forgotten orders, blisters from uncomfortable shoes, and shouting from chefs. The experience left her feeling hopeless and stupid, leading her to avoid restaurant work entirely during her university years and even influencing her social life, as she preferred pub drinks over formal dining to avoid the anxiety associated with restaurant service.
Finding perspective through television
Initially, the author avoided 'The Bear' due to the show's realistic depiction of kitchen chaos, which triggered memories of her own worst shifts. Curiosity eventually led her to watch the series, where she found the high-anxiety moments to be portrayed with a mix of honesty and comedy. She notes that the second-season episode 'Forks' was particularly transformative, as it depicts a character finding purpose and self-respect through the discipline of service.
A shift in professional attitude
The author credits the show with helping her realize that the high standards of her former workplace were rooted in the goal of improving a guest's day. This realization changed her approach to her current career as a writer, where she now finds satisfaction in putting effort into her work. She has since returned to her former restaurant as a customer and now feels grateful for the lessons learned during her time in hospitality.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Culture.
