I have been asked that question a million times. Sounds all peaches and cream huh? Think again.
It’s not easy being married to a chef. Chefs have long hours, unpredictable days off, and they almost always work on holidays and special occasions. But harder than being married to a chef, is cooking for a chef!
Most times, he is the doting husband who is happy that his wife is a pretty good cook (claims he would not have married me otherwise) but sometimes, he comes home still wearing his chef’s hat and starts to review my food like a tasting session for a new restaurant menu. I have heard ” I like the flavour but not the texture.” I have also heard “You could work on that recipe.” But then again, it was my Jamaican Oxtail Stew that made him fall in love, so hey- I guess you can’t get the ying without the yang. These days, I make sure not to put the vinaigrette on the salad until right before service because giving the chef soggy salad will incite comments like ” I love the vinaigrette but it’s clear that the salad has been sitting in it for a while.” I can take criticism about work but food? You better eat or cook it youself! Gotta love ’em.
Cloudcutter says
Haha.. nice one. I can only imagine what it must be like in your kitchen. I can bet you a meal at your home could never be boring!
Sarah says
recipe for the stew please – sounds amazing!
chefandsteward says
Posted on the Jamaican Recipes page 🙂
YeVette says
Lol!!! I love this post. Please post a recipe for Oxtail!
chefandsteward says
I did! I posted it in the Jamaican Recipes section. I thought of you when I was posting it because you asked me for this months ago!
radotouille says
i am pretty sure it s harder than we imagine. i liked this article a lot. it still must be cool to be married to a chef!
one question: who does the dishes?
🙂
ps congrats for the “khaleej” part. it’s great!
Reenee says
I’ve also gotten: “The flavor is good, your technique is off. You shouldn’t have covered it. Too much liquid. You ended up poaching it.” Umm, you’re welcome for dinner, I guess.
Chef and Steward says
We can’t help it as chef’s to do this at home, but their is nothing like a home cooked meal
Yvonne says
I know I’ve probably said this before but you too are good! love your writing and Chef’s article was really enjoyable too. You two are heading for the big times with this blog and I’ll be there in the audience cheering!
Chef and Steward says
Thank you so much for your support from the start Yvonne. You have championed the way… from when we were teen TV presenters and it is such a blessing to be sharing in each other’s journeys so many years later. I am equally as proud of your phenomenal achievements in media!
Chef and Steward says
Thanks Yvonne.
Veronique says
My nephew just posted a facebook link to your blog. He’s a chef! I can’t handle being criticised or rated on my cooking either!! Eat it or you won’t get another meal 🙂
I also loved Chef’s points to sit and marinate on. I recognise most of them from times spent around kitchens. I was bookkeeper for a few restaurant/cafe establishments in my day.
Julia Potocnjak-Overn says
You’re damn right, it’s not easy being married to a chef, but I’ve got to tell you, he is a passionate, genuine man who is incredibly talented. We only have one kitchen rule: the one who cooks the meal and makes the mess, cleans it up. We have an extensive grocery bill for just the two of us, but I’m not complaining! I am proud to be his assistant chef in our apartment kitchen, though most nights I am but a mere table setter-it’s all about creating the right atmosphere, right. Nevertheless, I love the man.
Fae says
Haha ! Also married a Chef 23 years ago and we still in this adventure together knowing his 1st wife would be his kitchen, but then being in the hotel industry myself I understood what I got myself in to. But I am blessed to have him. He is passionate, yet humble and super talented. We take turns cooking at home our girls included and he doesn’t complain and he seldom critiques and he loves my cooking we have a rule too whoever cooks the other cleans .simple. But I love him and he is very supportive in what I do too. 🙂
Lesley mullan says
38 yrs married to a chef. Knew him 8 yrs before that. So I guess I knew what I was getting into. He’s an artist, passionate abt food (and football), hardly ever at home… But god forbid he comes home at 5 every nite… That would be a recipe for disaster… He’s won more awards than I can count and helped so many young Kenyan chefs along the way… Sammy is acting head chef at the goring where the middle tons stayed before Kate’s marriage to William… I don’t cook, can’t cook, won’t cook so no problem at home… I am so proud of what he’s achieved
Jay says
I just discovered your blog, good job. As far as having a relationship of any kind with a Chef, it is difficult. Having been divorced for awhile it was a part as to why my now ex-wife and I split.
The hours are long the work is hard and back breaking. I worked six days a week averaging fourteen or more hours daily. I worked three months with two days off at some point.
Yes we are critical of home cooked meals but we are (or at least I was) deeply appreciative.
The wives and or husbands who are in a relationship with a Chef should get a medal. We are not the easiest people to live with at times. Especially if the menu changes daily or weekly.
There is a reason why people get involved with Chefs. We are painfully passionate people.
My girlfriend was more anxious to make me eggs the next morning than she was about us sleeping together for the first time.
It is not what people see on T.V. it is not glamorous, there are no cameras following us around. We work long, hard hours with little pay. Chefs have to be somewhat masochistic at some level. We enjoy the “pain” of being in a hot kitchen, the yelling, the noise, the whining, the crying. All of it.
I guess that’s why I consult now.
Judith McArthur-Dawson says
My chef learned very quickly not to critique my meals. The first time, it ended up in the garbage. The second time, it ended up in his lap. There wasn’t a third time because I refused to cook for him until he promised never to do it again. I didn’t cook for him for quite awhile. Now he loves my food and often says he would love to have me as a sous chef then some of the ones he has had. Been married 10 years, known each other for 12 years.
Celin says
married for 10 years to an awesome chef and person Amit, we dated for around 4 years before we married. He is critical, and a wonderfully awesome pain in the but teacher. He has taught me how to cook, and I can cook alright. We have had ups and downs together, but never have I felt his love, his passion go less. Its an adventurous life with him, he is awesome, and cooks to die for (whenever he does). I have learnt that I can never be as good as him (our daughter says so) but he always appreciates and eats as if its the best meal of the day, thank you my dear hubby.
I never thought being married to him could be such a roller coaster ride, he doesn’t have time for days and then suddenly a super romantic dinner is planned on the beach, with baby sitters, my favourite food, candlelight, live music. Definitely have to very strong to married to a chef, but every time he is around the time spend is worth in gold, and he makes sure i keep on falling in love with him over and over.
Deirdre Michalski says
Love your post about being married to a chef. So true!!! Great list. I work with Chefs and honestly don’t know how they do
It!!! Bravo!!
Chef and Steward says
Thanks so much Deirdre.