A deeply toxic experience under an Executive Chef who made me grateful to leave quicklyThe good thingsNothing!
Pls Read below the reasons:
I joined the Sofitel Brisbane kitchen team thinking I was stepping into a true five-star workplace, excited to work in what I thought would be a professional and supportive environment. Instead, my experience in the kitchen was extremely disappointing, and I’m honestly glad I left.
My main issue was the Executive Chef. From my personal experience, he is not easy to work with, he does not listen to staff, and he speaks to people in a way that feels dismissive and belittling. He acts like he is the only smart one in the kitchen and treats others as if they don’t know anything. It creates a toxic kitchen culture where there is no real teamwork, just ego.
When I resigned, he told me “it’s the same everywhere.” Based on my experience working in other kitchens, that is absolutely not true. Other places treat staff with respect, communicate properly, and allow people to speak without being shut down.
The challengesHe also hired a friend who barely understood the job and acted as his puppet, copying the same negative behaviour, talking down to staff,and adding to the toxicity. It felt like they worked together to control, blame, and criticise others.
The Executive Chef even asked for my opinion about long-term staff, which was completely inappropriate. I’m not there to hand out “character certificates,”especially when those hardworking staff deserve respect and not to be spoken about behind their backs. Many long-term staff seem used to this environment, possibly because they don’t realise how much better other workplaces can be.
His constant talking, lecturing, and refusal to listen make the kitchen draining and demoralising. When people left, they weren’t replaced,pushing staff past their limits. I made my availability very clear, yet I was still rostered on days I couldn’t work.
I’m genuinely glad I got out in such a short time. In my opinion: do not work in this kitchen as you will regret it.