I mention this to tell you about my staff. I have had the great fortune to have met, over the years, hundreds of talented people within the restaurant industry. I was able to hire a bunch of them to work with me at Driftwood Kitchen. Unlike most other situations, I trust these people. I have either worked with them before or have worked with someone who can vouch for them. And I have taken my keys off of my belt. Let me explain why.
When I was in 6th grade, I had a teacher named Mrs. Meagher. Admittedly I haven't seen her in over ten years and have no idea if she is still around, but she would be proud none the less. I learned a few things from that wonderful woman when I was younger. I learned that the "meanest" and "grumpiest" people are often the kindest and most compassionate. I learned that Sun Tzu is useful for daily life, and to "pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance." I learned that if you love your job that you must commit to it with every step.
"Oh my god, those keys are so annoying. You sound like a 90's janitor," Bear said to me a few days ago. I chuckled because my keys annoy everybody, me included. I hadn't been wearing them in Driftwood because I hadn't felt like I needed them. I'm pretty quick to give away my tricks to the trade because no amount of tricks can make up for good hard work, but it's always sound to have an angle to keep people you don't know honest. Let's go back a bit.
Imagine me as the popular kid in elementary school, surrounded by friends because I am the coolest kid in the entire school. Hard, right? Because I was a loser. Let's try that again.
I'm the tall gangly kid with the Dumbo ears and ridiculous hair cut in the top left of the photo. I got picked on. A lot. In this photo I'm with the Burke family down the street, that would later become my second set of brothers, sister, and parents. I'm on the top left, next to Zach, holding up Matt and with Carly. I love these people like I love my own family because that is what they are. Still. Not featured is Mrs. Burke, Cheryl, and Mr. Burke, whose first name I still dare not say. He is still Mr. Burke.
Imagine at this age going to school. Mrs. Meagher was the scariest teacher in the entire school. We would line up at the top of the stairs, and somehow from the bottom, if you were goofing around, Mrs. Meagher could bellow your first name up the stairs and you would immediately snap to attention. When I was 17 I visited school to say hello to her. I asked her how she always knew when we were up to no good, and she said, "I would always ask the night staff to polish the tile in the stairwells extra shiny. At the right angle, you could see the reflection up the stairs. When you're dealing with kids you have to know all the angles."
I never forgot this. I started wearing my keys on my hips on a carabiner because I always had trouble remembering them. When I got into the restaurant industry, my staff would always joke that they knew I was coming because you could hear me coming from the jingling of my keys. All of this was on purpose. For the first few months I would always have my keys on me so that my presence was announced. Then I waited until everyone was comfortable, and I would take my keys off. Now coming around corners you never knew if I was there or not. Suddenly they would realize this and be on their best behavior at all times. I would alternate keys on or off during the shift and it kept everyone honest.
I have hired easily the most talented staff I have ever worked with. Driftwood Kitchen is comprised of true professionals and people that I trust. Keys on or off, these people act the same. With Integrity. This is one of the reasons I am most excited about this place.
Sun Tzu wrote of appearing strong when weak, and weak when strong. Warfare is misdirection. These days, I just count on my staff to do their job because they appear to simply do it. What a luxury having a staff you can trust is.
Stay tuned for more info on Driftwood; we're getting close.
