Standing up for those who wait

Well, the soup’s out of the bowl, so to speak. On Tuesday, July 29, Steve Dublanica let the New York Post  reveal to the dining world that he is, indeed, The Waiter.

Fat City, the food blog of the Pitch, broke the news locally and also had a tidbit about New York magazine revealing the name of the unidentified “Bistro” where Steve wageslaved.

After reading Waiter Rant (both the book and blog) and the interviews, I’m wondering why there’s so much shock and awe on the part of writers, readers and diners. Nothing Steve said or wrote surprised me. Until I realized that these stories were only shocking to folks who have never worked in a restaurant in any capacity. If you have ever been a cook, bartender, server, hostess, reservation scheduler, wine steward or maitre d’, then these workplace highs and woes are righteous validation of your existence in your chosen profession, temporary or not.

The readers expressing astonishment at what goes on behind closed kitchen doors, in the walk-in, or under the bus carts, are likely those who’ve never served up a supper to a paying customer. Steve’s experiences are universal and I hope they provide an eye-opener (and wallet-opener) to some restaurant patrons.

And while he is sure to eat lunch in his town again, Steve probably won’t be serving it.