You're facing a hectic service in the kitchen. How can you uplift spirits during high-stress hours?

Take Charge of Your Atmosphere One major thing I ensure is in check while working and knowing pressure might build up is to be in charge of my atmosphere. I do that by listening to spirit lifting songs while working. Songs have a way of calming nerves and directing the course of the atmosphere. So while cooking, I am keeping my atmosphere very spiritual and that addresses any pressure that might build.

One thing I have found is lead by example lead from the front if you are panicking the team will panic. stay focused make sure standards don't slip and when service is finished praise and talk about what was good and not so good.

Create an environment of calm, where clear, direct and brief instructions can be given out. If a very panicky situation occurs - stop everything for a minute - spend this time talking to tour staff and motivating staff with steps they can take to meet the demand of the day. Motivate staff further by joining in where there is a back log. Allow staff members to help each other out of the woods. Create an environment of camaraderie and assistance. The rest will follow suit. Lastly, at the end of shift keep staff a pat on the back for getting through service. Give constructive feedback regarding issues and/or mistakes of the day, allowing staff to come up with solutions to prevent a reoccurrence.

My answer is to maintain an accurate production level that will be definitely helpful for not having any stress even though it's so busy.

During busy times in the kitchen, emotions can run high. Staying calm is crucial because your composure influences your team. Use clear and concise communication to guide your staff and stay level-headed when problems come up. It's not just about handling stress—it's about being the steady presence that helps your team navigate the rush smoothly.

During a hectic service in the kitchen, it's essential to maintain a positive atmosphere. I focus on clear communication, acknowledging everyone's hard work, and injecting a bit of humor where appropriate to ease tension. Encouraging short, collective breaks when possible also helps everyone reset and stay energized for the rest of the shift

Maintaining a calm and collected demeanor in the kitchen during peak hours is essential for effective leadership. When the leader sets an example of composure and clear communication, it creates a ripple effect, fostering a more focused and productive environment for the entire team. It's a testament to the fact that true leadership isn't just about managing tasks, but also about managing emotions and inspiring confidence in those around you.

The most helpful thing you can do when it's busy or there's a high stress situation, is remain calm. I always remind my team, the busier we get, the more we take a second to breathe. We have to be able to think clearly. We're going to make the food. We're going to sell the checks. There's only so many seats in the restaurant. We just have think clearly, focus, and do things right the first time. I'd rather take 30 extra seconds to make right, then five extra minutes remaking it.

When I was instructing our personnel I always reminded them that even in your most stressful moments that you never improve your situation by losing your mind.

Every orchestra needs a conductor. It’s not the chaos that causes stress during a rush, it’s the lack of a steady leader that makes the controlled chaos of a kitchen feel as if it makes sense to everyone. Being calm of mind helps you see where direction needs to be given. A staff that is focused on the voice of an individual who isn’t feeling as if the world is on fire, can continue through the busiest of times. Their leader must feel as if the world isn’t on fire because of their reaction to the volume. This is the simplest way to get a staff to muscle through busy times and be truly ok with it. Try acting panicked during your next rush and see how your staff reacts. You’ll learn real quick how much you affect your team.

My favorite thing is making the team smile in the middle a busy service. I usually rewrite a song or saying that pops on my head, making it food related. We hold the tension. I don't know about you but I love my job, I love when it's busy, and thats how I show up.

In a high-stress environment, encouragement can make a big difference. Take time to recognize individual efforts with simple praise like “great job on that dish!” This builds a positive culture where compliments and positive reinforcement are regular. When staff feel valued and motivated, they’re more likely to work harder and maintain high standards.

Pre shifts are one of the most important parts of the shift. Sets the tone, expectations, allows us to remind the help how important communication is. That were here to support each other. When I know we're walking into a busy service I love reminding the team that days like this show us what were made of, what we can do.

Before things get busy, hold a quick pep talk with your team. Use this huddle to align everyone's focus, energize the group, and review the game plan. Highlight any special dishes and remind everyone of the goal: exceptional service. A united team is better equipped to handle the stress of a hectic kitchen, and these huddles help keep everyone connected and motivated.

Include brief moments of stress relief to prevent burnout. Simple actions like a quick stretch, a shared laugh, or deep breathing can reset the mind and body. Encourage your team to take these short breaks when possible to maintain their stamina and keep the kitchen’s energy from hitting a breaking point.

Introduce brief stress relief moments to avoid burnout. Quick stretches, shared laughs, or deep breaths can reset both mind and body. Encourage your team to take these short breaks to maintain their energy and prevent kitchen stress from becoming overwhelming.

When mistakes happen, and they will, don’t worry about who did it and assessing blame. There’s plenty of time to assess after shift. Post shift evaluations, meant to help for next time, not to look backwards. At the time of the mistake, handle it and shoe crew to focus on the solution and move on.

Lastly, remember your team looks to you for guidance. Lead by example with resilience, passion, and a strong work ethic. By working alongside your team and solving problems together, you earn respect and motivate them to do the same. Your attitude is contagious, so spread positivity and determination to help your team tackle any service challenge.