Great parents are the stuff the stars are made of. Great fathers are a breed that deserve recognition. This is for all the hard-working fathers who may not be around all the time, because their jobs take them away from the home.
You work ridiculously long hours and are hardly ever home. When you are, you are exhausted from those long hours at the grind, fighting out every order in the trenches of a hot kitchen one plate at a time. Whether your industry is Food & Beverage, Hospitality, or just any one that takes you away from family meals every evening, we are all in the same boat. You put everything into your work so you can be the best provider you can be. It’s hard, but somehow you manage to keep your heart in two places at once.
While you help to make the first anniversary of the couple at table 9 the most memorable, or try to close the deal at the critical business meeting with the gentleman who just won’t get to the point, your eyes are on the clock because it’s your child’s birthday and you really want to be home before sleep takes her over. You know she is trying to fight it herself, jumping up every time her eyes close for a minute, because she won’t have good dreams until daddy kisses her goodnight and stays with her a bit.
The life of a chef is not easy. We have lamented that fact before. But there is a bittersweet challenge of being a chef dad.
Your children learn to take career paths that make them happy. To work hard and live and work with passion. They learn that daddy may be away most times, but its only because he works so hard to take care of them. And when he is home and has gotten to catch up on his sleep, he is a really fun guy! They learn to appreciate the strength and commitment of their moms and how mothers and fathers have to work hard together to make a family work.
Little girls know that Daddy will always be there to protect them…. there is just something about the way you use the knives in the kitchen at home or the way you look so tall and strong and allow them to jump up into your arms. Little boys take pride that their dads can do pretty cool tricks and love their “man time” alone with you. They grow up wanting to be just like you.
Your wife may get her share of exhaustion from doing most of the active parenting alone, but she knows she couldn’t have chosen a better father for her children. You may not be around as much as a dad with a 9-5 but you manage to infuse your essence even when your presence is nowhere near. You, Dad, are loved. Happy Father’s Day!
imagesbytdashfield says
Wonderful 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Thanks much. So much is done for mothers but great dads are just as important!
Marta's Kitchen says
Aw! You put tears in my eyes! What a beautiful post…
Chef and Steward says
It was pretty teary writing it! You know firsthand the struggles of being in this business and raising a family!
IshitaUnblogged says
Beautiful post! Am feeling horrible for not having gathered a few pics of dad and me for a post on Father’s Day. How are you?
Chef and Steward says
Thanks. This celebrates our chef dad friends, other dads in the industry and those who have had to work long hours away from home. We are well and giving thanks.
2ssimington says
Love the story and love the pictures. So sweet.
Chef and Steward says
Thanks much!
jsamah says
Beautiful Read. 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Thanks much
Emily says
Lovely story and pictures. I have been a chef wife for 10 years and have always resisted the idea of having kids due to the crazy hours, not wanting to live like a “single” Mom. This gives me another perspective and has made me think about it more. Thank you. 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Emily, thank you so much for leaving this comment. As a chef wife, I know all too well the whole “single mom” phenomenon. We are expecting our firstborn in a couple of months so it is very real to me. However, I know that my chef is a great dad… and has been already during the pregnancy. It has always also been his fear that he would miss out on so much of his children’s lives due to his work. I will say to you that it is important to find a support system and try to focus on the good bits. Even though you hardly see your chef, you will have a part of him with you all the time!
susanklement says
I love the pictures with this post–dads and their kids, so sweet and vulnerable and loving!
Chef and Steward says
Thanks much. They were taken from previous photo shoots that I shot and showcase my documentary style photography.
emulsifiedfamily says
This is beautiful! Thanks Kari. 🙂 Happy Father’s Day (a bit early) to your chef/husband!
Chef and Steward says
Thanks for reminding me that i need to get cracking working on his gift for this year!