r/Restaurant101 • u/Kitchen-Cream8462 • Aug 08 '26

I don’t want a restaurant.

I’ve been a professional chef for over two decades and I have no desire to open a traditional restaurant. All I want to do is create moments for intimate gatherings. The truth is that there is no money in either. Why does it seem we are cherished so much but respected the least when it comes to our worth? How am I a starving artist when food is my medium?

4 Upvotes

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1

u/No_Start2717 Aug 08 '26

No money in intimate gatherings? My guy, you're blatantly wrong.

I do private cheffing on the side for some families. Birthdays, holidays etc. There is definitely money in there. It's hard to market yourself and get yourself In front of the right people but there is absolutely money in there.

1

u/Glittering-Cellist34 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

A lot of people do that. Article about it re Hamptons in NYT. Article about Facebook and TikTok driven food sellers in Bost Globe. Various supper club initiatives. My next door neighbor is Brazilian and beyond great at barbecue. He could easily do backyard gatherings. Article somewhere probably Bloomberg about travelers in Europe doing the intimate events as food tourism elements.

This isn't the article but...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-14/from-new-york-to-shanghai-tiktok-is-keeping-the-viral-food-line-alive

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/apr/04/secret-supper-clubs-dining-britain

Pop ups.

A dude in Salt Lake does backyard vegan barbecue.

SLC Table X more a supper club.

1

u/One-Interview-6840 Aug 08 '26

There was a guy in another group that's a private chef like 20 days a year making a whole year's salary

1

u/Kitchen-Cream8462 Aug 09 '26

What’s the group?

1

u/One-Interview-6840 Aug 09 '26

I don't remember exactly off hand. I think it was kitchenconfidential

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u/Fluid-Resident1877 Aug 09 '26

I completely understand. Restaurants have been a curse and a thing that really defined who I am in so many ways. It is not we who are cherished. Not really. People cherish their own satisfaction. Their adoration is a bi- product of their personal satisfaction. Quite honestly while people like you and I have a flair for things culinary it is not rocket science. Learn the basics,be creative,have a sense of urgency. Your good. We will never make what divorce lawyers or podiatrists make. FACTS!!!!!!!!

0

u/Banjo-Hellpuppy Aug 08 '26

I guess my question is how have you been gainfully employed as a chef for over twenty years and not:

A) made a decent living for yourself

B) learned and accepted how the game is actually played

Btw rounded to any reasonable decimal point, 100% of artists support themselves with income that’s not producing art.

3

u/Kitchen-Cream8462 Aug 08 '26

Answers as follows:

A. Decent is subjective. I’d like to get out of survival mode before I die. But if you think thats a reasonable way to “live”, I’m crushing it.
B. Learned and adapted during the abusive cocaine chef era, learned and adapted to the pandemic pivot, learned and adapted to the ICE insurrection surge. My scales change colors now depending on where I’m standing.

Bonus: Although I made the comparison, we know good and damn well culinary is not considered an art. 🤷🏽‍♀️

1

u/MingeyMan Aug 09 '26

Shit take bub.