I love how genuinely merit based this industry is

~You're gay? Doesn't matter so long as you can cook

~undocumented immigrant? Just keep flipping burgers man it doesn't matter

~disenfranchised by society and generally looked down upon? Hey we've all been there before just keep firing all day

As a trans person I've gotten more love and support from kitchens and my fellow restaurant coworkers than I ever have from my own home or government. One of the very first conversations I had in a kitchen with a chef when I was 18 went something like this Me: "Hey I use different pronouns than what's on my ID is that a problem?" Chef: "huh? No Idc I need a cook and you can cook. I'll call you whatever you want just don't burn the bacon" I love this industry and I wouldn't leave it for even the most cushy 9-5 120k+ salary job.

Stay strong out there chefs and remember no matter what your race, gender, sexuality, politics (unless it's just pure hatred) you're welcome in the kitchen to give us a hand