Hard Truths of Being a Chef

Becoming a chef is often romanticized as a career filled with passion, creativity, and the art of crafting beautiful dishes. But beneath the glamour of celebrity chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants lies a world of exhaustion, sacrifice, and relentless pressure. If you're considering stepping into the kitchen, here are 45 hard truths that will challenge your perception of the culinary world.

The Physical Toll

Your hands will be a battlefield—cuts, burns, and scars will mark every lesson learned.
Standing for 12+ hours daily will leave your feet in agony.
Back pain will become your constant companion.
Your hands will ache from endless chopping, kneading, and lifting.
Sleep deprivation is your new normal—six hours is a luxury, four is average.
Sunlight will become a stranger—you’ll forget what a tan looks like.
Weight fluctuations are extreme—either you forget to eat or overindulge.
Addictions become part of the lifestyle—coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, or energy drinks.
Fast food will be your guilty pleasure—because cooking for yourself feels like work.
Sitting is a rare luxury—a 5-minute break is a dream.

The Emotional & Social Sacrifices

Say goodbye to your social life—friends will stop inviting you out.
Dating is nearly impossible—weekends, nights, and holidays are all workdays.
Planning anything with friends or family is a nightmare—your schedule is unpredictable.
Your coworkers will know you better than your family—because you see them more.
Family celebrations mean you’re the cook—because, of course, you are.
Your job will always come first—holidays, birthdays, relationships all take a backseat.
Your humor will turn dark—if it’s not politically incorrect or kitchen-related, is it even a joke?
Cursing becomes second nature—your vocabulary will be 50% expletives.
Every conversation will somehow lead back to food—even at funerals.
Watching others cook will become painful—you’ll struggle not to correct them.

The Harsh Realities of the Industry

You will work more hours than legally imaginable—and it still won’t feel like enough.
"Short" days are still longer than most people's longest days.
You will not become famous—most chefs never do, no matter how talented they are.
Kitchen abuse is real—disguised as "tough love," but often just cruelty.
Stress will be your permanent state—you’ll function, but always on edge.
You will become high-strung—patience and calm are luxuries.
Your temper will shorten—kitchen stress makes tempers explode.
Mistakes are magnified—no one forgets them, and neither will you.
If you’re a woman, sexism is real—jokes, harassment, and being underestimated.
Your world will shrink to a hot, noisy, windowless box—the kitchen is your home.

The Career Struggles

You are replaceable—no matter how good you are, the kitchen moves on.
Praise is rare—if you're not getting yelled at, you're doing fine.
Respect your superiors—even if they’re wrong, backtalk is career suicide.
Authority takes years to earn—no shortcuts, just endless hard work.
Better restaurants mean harder work—more hours, more pressure, more competition.
Cooking at home will feel like a chore—you’ll survive on snacks, takeout, or nothing at all.
No sympathy for hangovers—show up or lose your job, no excuses.
Saving money is a myth—you either spend it all on indulgences or fixing broken things in life.
Your mother will stop cooking for you—she’ll assume you judge her food now.
Sitting down to eat a full meal is a rare event—you’ll grab bites in between tasks.

Still Want to Be a Chef?

If this list didn’t scare you, welcome to the madness. If it did… well, you’ve been warned. The kitchen is not just a workplace; it’s a test of endurance, resilience, and sheer willpower. Only the toughest survive—but for those who do, it’s a life like no other.

And with the right gear, like BB61 chef shoes, you can make your daily battles just a little easier.

How BB61 Chef Shoes Help

BB61 chef shoes are designed specifically to combat the daily struggles chefs face in the kitchen. Their ergonomic support reduces foot pain, their non-slip soles ensure stability in fast-paced environments, and their lightweight material helps combat fatigue. By investing in high-quality shoes like BB61, chefs can alleviate some of the physical strain and focus on what they do best—creating incredible food.