Suicide in the Culinary Industry…Thoughts from a Chef’s Wife

Waking up this morning to find out that Anthony Bourdain had committed suicide was a shock for all of us.  I can’t imagine the pain he must have been in to feel that suicide was the only option.

As an outsider, his life looked pretty great to most of us.  He was a successful chef, writer and TV show host.  He had a girlfriend and appeared happy in the relationship.  He was the father of a young daughter.  Media and Social Media made him appear so successful and happy.

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

It makes me question why suicide, mental health issues, drugs and alcohol are all such problems in the Culinary Industry. (more…)

Do you Ever Feel Like You Are Living Separate Lives?

Why yes I do.  Thanks for asking.

Sometimes I feel like I have my life here at home with the girls and my husband has his life at work and then here at home.  The things we each do in a day are so different from each other.  Our two lives come together for a few minutes a day and then we go our separate ways.

The majority of the year he does get 2 days off a week.  During those weeks, he doesn’t seem like a stranger.  There is time to talk (even if it’s chaotic with kids running around), meals together as a family, etc.  However, there are times, like day 11 of a 14 day stretch with no days off.  This doesn’t happen often, but occasionally it does.  I really miss him during those times.

11 long days of work in a row.  Has anyone seen my husband?  (Just kidding.)  Oh look, the restaurant just posted a picture of him on Twitter.  (Seriously, this has happened before and I laughed and said to myself, “Oh look, that’s what my husband is up to right now.” (more…)

Day 2 – Social Media (12 Days of Encouragement for the Chef’s Family)

If you are new to my site, start here.

It’s the most wonderful . . . and hardest time of the year for our Emulsified Family, as I’m sure it is for many of you.

12 days of encouragement for the chefs familyIf you struggle with loneliness this time of year, today, I’d like to challenge you to think about the time you spend on Social Media this holiday season.

WHAT!!!!

ARE YOU CRAZY????

HOW COULD I LIVE WITHOUT FACEBOOK?

I know that sounds funny coming from a blogger.  I get a lot of website traffic from Facebook.  But honestly, one of the hardest things for me during the Christmas season is seeing what everyone else is doing on Facebook.  (more…)

So You Want to Own a Restaurant . . .

Has your chef ever thought about opening their own restaurant?

As I’m sitting here working on this post, my husband reads the title and immediately says, “No way!”

It’s definitely not for everyone.  But I know many chefs who would like to one day have their own place and many chef girlfriends and wives (or husbands and boyfriends) who wonder what it would really be like.

There are a few chef wives who have written books about opening a restaurant with their chefs.  You can read about Delancey and Wife of the Chef in a few posts I wrote last year after I read the books.

But today, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Dhanny.  I met her through this blog and have LOVED getting to know her this past year!  She has such a great perspective on restaurant ownership and I’m thankful she’s willing to share her story with us today!

Dhanny and her chef/husband Joe own My Kitchen Restaurant in New York.  If you live near by or travel there, I’m sure they’d love for you to stop by. 🙂 (more…)

What is it Like to be Married to a Chef?

“Being married to a chef must be the best thing ever.  #marriedtoachef.”

This is what I read as I glanced at twitter this morning.

Really?  Best thing ever?

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not complaining.  I love that my husband is a chef.  I love that when he is home, he cooks, because the food tastes SO MUCH BETTER!!  I love that I can show him a recipe and he can immediately tell if it’s going to turn out.  I love that he currently has 12,206 files in his recipe directory on Google Drive.  I love how handsome he looks in his chef coat each morning when he walks out the door.  The list could go on and on . . .

But let me let you in on a little secret, in case you are reading this and are not married to a chef.  The life of a chef is not as glamorous as it looks on the Food Network. Let me give you a few examples . . . (more…)