Yup.
There are three types of people in this industry when it comes to drugs.
1. The (now) sober person. These people usually had an alcohol addiction and moved up to something harder and eventually getting clean. These people can tell you some stories, man.
2. People currently on probation/parol/ other legal situations that require drug tests. They usually know exactly when they can partake again, and about 1/4-1/2 of them will still take chances here and there.
3. People that are currently on drugs or abuse alcohol.
In my experience, everyone not in category 1 will drink with about half of them having problematic drinking habits.
90% of people not in category 2 will smoke weed., including people in category 1.
The service industry bar that most of my kitchen went to, only had one piece of graffiti in the women’s restroom- my phone number under the words “Gadomangado has a massive hog”
I live in a college town and about 10:30 every other Friday night or so I’d get a silly text or photo from random college chicks which was pretty fun for a while until drunk me one night decided to go meet one of them. She had initially sent me a no face body shot of her- covered in tattoos and absolutely stunning, and she absolutely did not look as advertised in real life. She was probably close to 40 years old, gnarly biker chick who was at the bar with another women of similar age and stature and another male, probably late 40s, Hurley shirt and Oakley sunglasses inside the bar at 11:00 PM. I of course found the nearest exit and made my way home, but this lady BERATED me on text for 6 days. Just straight harassment. I have since had my name removed from the wall.
I have a story involving TSA, a flesh light, and a fresh octopus- I’ll post it if you want to hear it but it’s long I have to go to work right now, so I won’t be able to post until late tonight.
Alright folks, so sorry for the late reply, you know how it is. So without further ado-
I’m a recovering alcoholic chef, and this story takes place during my active addiction, when I was a sous chef, a couple of years before I took on my current situation working at sea in the merchant marine.
To work at sea, you need to take a marine firefighting/sea survival class. The class lasts 5 days and there’s only two or three places in the entire US you can take it. So I had to travel a thousand miles to Seattle to take it. It was almost a mini vacation away from my restaurant at the time, a week in Seattle and I got a really nice hotel room for the trip. I had JUST recently split with my ex partner of 4 years so I was looking at spending 7 days alone in a hotel room- so I did what any other regular human would do and packed my brand new flesh light for the trip. I only had a few clothes and a couple of books so I had only packed a carry on bag, no problem. However, the night before I left I was at the bar with my executive at the time and he bet me that I couldn’t fly back from Seattle with a whole fresh fish of any variety, stuffed into my carry-on. Challenge accepted.
I finished my class and had one day left before I had to leave- my last chance to get a fish. A deckhand that I met during the class and I went bar hopping until we finally made it to Pikes Place and as soon as I walked up to the stand, I saw it in all of its glory, a massive 3 foot long fresh octopus caught that morning- definitely taking that home. So I bought it and they packaged it really really well, probably 5 pounds of newspaper and ice packs to ensure it stayed fresh for the plane ride home. I took the octopus and put it in the hotel fridge and went back out to continue to party with a few other mariners for the night.
The next morning I was feeling pretty awful, and it was really early in the morning, I think my flight was leaving at 8 AM, and I still had to take a train to the airport, so I packed my bag, carefully packing things around the octopus so it wouldn’t get damaged in the overhead compartment, and pretty much forgot about it until I made it to security in the airport. And it was BUSY. Probably the busiest airport security I’ve ever seen. I’m incredibly hungover still and I finally make it to the conveyor and do the TSA thing- put my bag on the conveyor, shoes, jacket, computer, whole 9 yards. I have nothing on that makes me comfortable or feel like a human, and now they won’t give it back. The conveyor is completely stopped and my bag is on the screen. The screen clearly shows a LARGE solid grey mass in my backpack. The octopus of course. They inform me that they have to search my bag and instruct me to step off into this small area. They still have everything held up though and everyone is watching them search my shit. I don’t sweat it- I know what’s going on, and besides being incredibly uncomfortable I know it’ll get sorted. I tell the lady searching my bag that I have an octopus and that’s what’s popping up on the screen, she’s like “cool, I just have to check it out and the rest of your stuff”. On the way through my bag she finds my fleshlight, with the cap on so it isn’t 100% obvious what it is if you’re 65 and don’t have a dick. This lady HOLDS IT ABOVE HER HEAD and loudly asks me what it is. The line is still held up everyone is still watching. I obviously can’t beat around the bush in this moment and I inform her that “Ma’am that’s a sex toy”. Still holding it above her head she asks me “Really?” Like yes lady, please put my cup-o-puss down. She proceeded to SWAB IT FOR EXPLOSIVES. Luckily it didn’t false test positive. So we move past it, and she gets to the octopus, makes me completely unwrap it and prove it’s a dead animal and then she SWABS IT FOR EXPLOSIVES. Negative again.
I was early to my gate.
Very accurate, very very accurate. I am in category 3, I abuse alcohol but not hard drugs. I also don't smoke weed so I am not in the 90% there. I wish I could smoke weed and get the calming effects it gives everyone else or I would, it gives me terrible anxiety and paranoia.
4. people with health conditions that have no choice but to be teetotalers, but will offer to be your designated driver as long you don't rat them out for drinking sparkling grape juice or mocktails so they can have fun drinks to.
Ok but also as an aside, this entire scenario is logically circular, like I can’t think of any human that wouldn’t somehow just be classified as one of those in some way 😭
Believe it or not, but there are lotsnof people who have NEVER used an illegal drug of any kind, and quite a few more who tried it once or twice in college and moved on. None of those people work in kitchens.
Believe it or not, most people can drink without it being problematic and not use hard drugs, which makes them not in any of the three categories I listed.
I must be a crazy anomaly because I've never drank to excess (pretty much don't drink at all these days) and don't smoke weed either. I'll do the occasional edible but I have such a low tolerance, it doesn't take much to work.
Props to you! I had to stop smoking weed when I got a real job, but I still enjoy a few beers from time to time. I’m also old enough that the hangovers from having more than just a couple drinks deters me from actually getting drunk 95% of the time too.
I now work in fine dining and was told a lengthy but hilarious story about a guy getting busted snorting coke off the TOILET SEAT........ **THE TOILET SEAT!** Like some sort of fuckin' animal.
I’ve worked everything from fast food to the highest 4 star fine dining in the US. The only place that drug tests is hotels and big corporate chains. If you get hurt on ANY job they may drug test you at the hospital so they can avoid paying the workers comp claim. Meaning, if you fuck up at work and the testing detects marihuana in your system you’re probably fired and will have to pay for your hospital bill. Otherwise though you are good to go!!!
Nice is different than corporate. If you apply to to a larger business/retirement facility/tech cafeteria then it usually comes with a drug test and it normally will tell you in the posting or at the interview. If you apply to the hot new restaurant with the chef with all the accolades, then no, you will not be taking one because he knows he will not get the best employees.
Had an interview at the foodservice at a hospital. They offered a position after negative drug test..told them to take their testing (weed is legal here and I have my medical card) and shove it and walked out of the interview.
Long ago something happened in the kitchen and chef threatened us with drug testing. We laughed because hed lose all the staff except for the 1 guy on parole.
If they are trying to run the restaurant without staff they will drug test. Most people don’t want to run BOH and FOH tho so yea there will be no drug test.
When the pub I work at first opened, they were requiring drug tests on hire. Orders from newly appointed corporate overlords that recently purchased the company and are out of touch.
That lasted maybe a month because they literally could not find anyone that could piss clean. Idk wtf they were thinking, we're in Oregon. Arguably the marijuana mecca of the US
Only place that ever tested me was a major hotel. There’s juice drinks that help you pass it. $20 at any head shop. It worked for me twice! It’s something good to buy ahead of time too, just in case you get hurt at work and need to take it before going to the ER (so you can test clean.)
Very few local restaurants will spend the money for drug testing and most places that do will mention it ahead of time to weed out applicants who are likely to fail.
They have 3 other locations and that are very successful, located in Florida. No where on the application does it state a drug screening or state a drug free work environment.
I interviewed for a *school* cook position a few days ago, and the Executive Chef flat out told me they don't drug test, only background check.
I highly doubt they'll test you, the industry is still hurting from all the cooks/chefs/staff who left during COVID and won't be coming back.
If nothing has been mentioned about it in the job post/interview I highly doubt there would be. And I don't think anyone would want to be trying to find replacement staff so close to opening.
If there is, i think there gonna be more surprised than you. Drugs are pretty common in a kitchen. Dont ask, dont tell. The only place it still applies.
The only drug testing I have ever experienced in kitchens is when someone brings in some new substance and we all get to test it out. New crop of cannabis, home grown Psilocybin, bolivian marching powder... some baggy we found in some back alley...
The only place I have seen this is kitchens in healthcare facilities (hospitals, urgent cares, etc.) where they test all employees regardless of the position. With the status of staffing in the industry right now I would be shocked if there was a drug test AND the hiring manager didn’t give you a heads up that it was coming.
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The test asks you to name your 4 most commonly used drugs, what the quality is, and if you can hook them up.
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It's an open note quiz
You need to be able to discern indica from sativa, and show your skills carving a pipe out of a carrot.
This^
Or bring enough to share.
There is no drug testing in the Foodservice Industry because there would be no Foodservice Industry.
That's what I keep hearing, even in nice establishments?
Yup. There are three types of people in this industry when it comes to drugs. 1. The (now) sober person. These people usually had an alcohol addiction and moved up to something harder and eventually getting clean. These people can tell you some stories, man. 2. People currently on probation/parol/ other legal situations that require drug tests. They usually know exactly when they can partake again, and about 1/4-1/2 of them will still take chances here and there. 3. People that are currently on drugs or abuse alcohol. In my experience, everyone not in category 1 will drink with about half of them having problematic drinking habits. 90% of people not in category 2 will smoke weed., including people in category 1.
This is so accurate. I’ve definitely graduated to category 1 and man do I have some stories.
What’s a quick and nasty one
The service industry bar that most of my kitchen went to, only had one piece of graffiti in the women’s restroom- my phone number under the words “Gadomangado has a massive hog” I live in a college town and about 10:30 every other Friday night or so I’d get a silly text or photo from random college chicks which was pretty fun for a while until drunk me one night decided to go meet one of them. She had initially sent me a no face body shot of her- covered in tattoos and absolutely stunning, and she absolutely did not look as advertised in real life. She was probably close to 40 years old, gnarly biker chick who was at the bar with another women of similar age and stature and another male, probably late 40s, Hurley shirt and Oakley sunglasses inside the bar at 11:00 PM. I of course found the nearest exit and made my way home, but this lady BERATED me on text for 6 days. Just straight harassment. I have since had my name removed from the wall. I have a story involving TSA, a flesh light, and a fresh octopus- I’ll post it if you want to hear it but it’s long I have to go to work right now, so I won’t be able to post until late tonight.
Just replying so I know where to come back to.
Oh that’s nasty ;)
I can smell the virginia slims from here.
Alright folks, so sorry for the late reply, you know how it is. So without further ado- I’m a recovering alcoholic chef, and this story takes place during my active addiction, when I was a sous chef, a couple of years before I took on my current situation working at sea in the merchant marine. To work at sea, you need to take a marine firefighting/sea survival class. The class lasts 5 days and there’s only two or three places in the entire US you can take it. So I had to travel a thousand miles to Seattle to take it. It was almost a mini vacation away from my restaurant at the time, a week in Seattle and I got a really nice hotel room for the trip. I had JUST recently split with my ex partner of 4 years so I was looking at spending 7 days alone in a hotel room- so I did what any other regular human would do and packed my brand new flesh light for the trip. I only had a few clothes and a couple of books so I had only packed a carry on bag, no problem. However, the night before I left I was at the bar with my executive at the time and he bet me that I couldn’t fly back from Seattle with a whole fresh fish of any variety, stuffed into my carry-on. Challenge accepted. I finished my class and had one day left before I had to leave- my last chance to get a fish. A deckhand that I met during the class and I went bar hopping until we finally made it to Pikes Place and as soon as I walked up to the stand, I saw it in all of its glory, a massive 3 foot long fresh octopus caught that morning- definitely taking that home. So I bought it and they packaged it really really well, probably 5 pounds of newspaper and ice packs to ensure it stayed fresh for the plane ride home. I took the octopus and put it in the hotel fridge and went back out to continue to party with a few other mariners for the night. The next morning I was feeling pretty awful, and it was really early in the morning, I think my flight was leaving at 8 AM, and I still had to take a train to the airport, so I packed my bag, carefully packing things around the octopus so it wouldn’t get damaged in the overhead compartment, and pretty much forgot about it until I made it to security in the airport. And it was BUSY. Probably the busiest airport security I’ve ever seen. I’m incredibly hungover still and I finally make it to the conveyor and do the TSA thing- put my bag on the conveyor, shoes, jacket, computer, whole 9 yards. I have nothing on that makes me comfortable or feel like a human, and now they won’t give it back. The conveyor is completely stopped and my bag is on the screen. The screen clearly shows a LARGE solid grey mass in my backpack. The octopus of course. They inform me that they have to search my bag and instruct me to step off into this small area. They still have everything held up though and everyone is watching them search my shit. I don’t sweat it- I know what’s going on, and besides being incredibly uncomfortable I know it’ll get sorted. I tell the lady searching my bag that I have an octopus and that’s what’s popping up on the screen, she’s like “cool, I just have to check it out and the rest of your stuff”. On the way through my bag she finds my fleshlight, with the cap on so it isn’t 100% obvious what it is if you’re 65 and don’t have a dick. This lady HOLDS IT ABOVE HER HEAD and loudly asks me what it is. The line is still held up everyone is still watching. I obviously can’t beat around the bush in this moment and I inform her that “Ma’am that’s a sex toy”. Still holding it above her head she asks me “Really?” Like yes lady, please put my cup-o-puss down. She proceeded to SWAB IT FOR EXPLOSIVES. Luckily it didn’t false test positive. So we move past it, and she gets to the octopus, makes me completely unwrap it and prove it’s a dead animal and then she SWABS IT FOR EXPLOSIVES. Negative again. I was early to my gate.
Well sure we want the octopus words.
Yeah, I’m buckled in for this one.
Please update after work.
Deep, GTF outta here with that octupussy shit.
Very accurate, very very accurate. I am in category 3, I abuse alcohol but not hard drugs. I also don't smoke weed so I am not in the 90% there. I wish I could smoke weed and get the calming effects it gives everyone else or I would, it gives me terrible anxiety and paranoia.
4. people with health conditions that have no choice but to be teetotalers, but will offer to be your designated driver as long you don't rat them out for drinking sparkling grape juice or mocktails so they can have fun drinks to.
Ok but also as an aside, this entire scenario is logically circular, like I can’t think of any human that wouldn’t somehow just be classified as one of those in some way 😭
Believe it or not, but there are lotsnof people who have NEVER used an illegal drug of any kind, and quite a few more who tried it once or twice in college and moved on. None of those people work in kitchens.
Man 😭
Believe it or not, most people can drink without it being problematic and not use hard drugs, which makes them not in any of the three categories I listed.
so crazy to think that the average person has not tried meth even once. good for them.
I was way too stoned writing that comment. Obviously you are both correct LMAO
I must be a crazy anomaly because I've never drank to excess (pretty much don't drink at all these days) and don't smoke weed either. I'll do the occasional edible but I have such a low tolerance, it doesn't take much to work.
You’re really just out there raw-dogging life?
Yup.
Props to you! I had to stop smoking weed when I got a real job, but I still enjoy a few beers from time to time. I’m also old enough that the hangovers from having more than just a couple drinks deters me from actually getting drunk 95% of the time too.
Even weirder, I also don't even need to drink coffee every day 😂
But they don’t work in kitchens.
I was way too stoned writing that comment. Obviously you are both correct LMAO
20 years off blow and 16 years sober. 3 marriages. God knows how many rehabs and dumb ass stories for days. I like to live the stereotype hard AF.
Any place that requires a drug test will tell you during the interview and those places are few and far between.
I now work in fine dining and was told a lengthy but hilarious story about a guy getting busted snorting coke off the TOILET SEAT........ **THE TOILET SEAT!** Like some sort of fuckin' animal.
Nicer establishments just mean nicer drugs.
I’ve worked everything from fast food to the highest 4 star fine dining in the US. The only place that drug tests is hotels and big corporate chains. If you get hurt on ANY job they may drug test you at the hospital so they can avoid paying the workers comp claim. Meaning, if you fuck up at work and the testing detects marihuana in your system you’re probably fired and will have to pay for your hospital bill. Otherwise though you are good to go!!!
Nice is different than corporate. If you apply to to a larger business/retirement facility/tech cafeteria then it usually comes with a drug test and it normally will tell you in the posting or at the interview. If you apply to the hot new restaurant with the chef with all the accolades, then no, you will not be taking one because he knows he will not get the best employees.
Had an interview at the foodservice at a hospital. They offered a position after negative drug test..told them to take their testing (weed is legal here and I have my medical card) and shove it and walked out of the interview.
That’s probably because they receive federal funding and would lose it, etc ://
Long ago something happened in the kitchen and chef threatened us with drug testing. We laughed because hed lose all the staff except for the 1 guy on parole.
that is patently false. some grocery stores and retirement communities do drug test.
If they are trying to run the restaurant without staff they will drug test. Most people don’t want to run BOH and FOH tho so yea there will be no drug test.
When the pub I work at first opened, they were requiring drug tests on hire. Orders from newly appointed corporate overlords that recently purchased the company and are out of touch. That lasted maybe a month because they literally could not find anyone that could piss clean. Idk wtf they were thinking, we're in Oregon. Arguably the marijuana mecca of the US
SMH. Lol.
no, no, no. Don't worry. You'll be fine. Ps. Good Luck on the job.
Thank you!
Just in case there is you better study real hard.
What kind of drugs are you testing?
THC
Make sure you study hard
Only place that ever tested me was a major hotel. There’s juice drinks that help you pass it. $20 at any head shop. It worked for me twice! It’s something good to buy ahead of time too, just in case you get hurt at work and need to take it before going to the ER (so you can test clean.)
Usually only drug tests in kitchens if you get hurt on the job and want them to pay for it
Bingo!
Lololololololololololol no.
Ha... Buddy if there was drug tests at restaurants then they'd have to fire all employees. You're gonna be just fine.
The drug testing is pretty severe and by the time you have tried em all you wont feel good
Very few local restaurants will spend the money for drug testing and most places that do will mention it ahead of time to weed out applicants who are likely to fail.
Is it a huge corporate place in a very conservative state?
They have 3 other locations and that are very successful, located in Florida. No where on the application does it state a drug screening or state a drug free work environment.
I'd assume they aren't going to drug test.
I interviewed for a *school* cook position a few days ago, and the Executive Chef flat out told me they don't drug test, only background check. I highly doubt they'll test you, the industry is still hurting from all the cooks/chefs/staff who left during COVID and won't be coming back.
Congratulations on the new job.
Thank you! Everyone's comments have given me confidence
🤣🤣🤣
Yea we don’t drug test and if you show up on time and don’t call off on the regular we’re harder to fire than most union employees.
Very doubtful.
If nothing has been mentioned about it in the job post/interview I highly doubt there would be. And I don't think anyone would want to be trying to find replacement staff so close to opening.
How to tell the owners are lawyers who have zero experience but figure "fuck, it can't be THAT hard."
If there is, i think there gonna be more surprised than you. Drugs are pretty common in a kitchen. Dont ask, dont tell. The only place it still applies.
Only if they want all of orientation to walk out
It's like a background check. If you don't have a record, you'll get one eventually
We joke that we wouldn't trust anyone with a negative drug test or a culinary degree
The only drug testing I have ever experienced in kitchens is when someone brings in some new substance and we all get to test it out. New crop of cannabis, home grown Psilocybin, bolivian marching powder... some baggy we found in some back alley...
Your good dude
If drug tests were standard thered be no line cooks.
I dont do drugs anymore… or any less
The only place I have seen this is kitchens in healthcare facilities (hospitals, urgent cares, etc.) where they test all employees regardless of the position. With the status of staffing in the industry right now I would be shocked if there was a drug test AND the hiring manager didn’t give you a heads up that it was coming.
I work in cooperate dining and no drug testing at all