Alcohol and other drug use in Michelin-starred kitchen brigades. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giousmpasoglou, Charalampos; Brown, Lorraine; Cooper, John
• Is Part Of: International journal of hospitality management. Volume 70(2018)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Hospitality -- Chefs -- Alcohol -- Substance use -- Britain and Ireland; Hotel management -- Periodicals; Restaurant management -- Periodicals; Food service management -- Periodicals; Hôtels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Restaurants -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Services alimentaires -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Food service management; Hotel management; Restaurant management; Periodicals; 647.94
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2017.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4319

Abstract

Highlights: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use appear to be part of the everyday life in Michelin-starred kitchen brigades in Britain and Ireland. AOD were found to be used as a means of self-medication and as a coping strategy for most chefs regardless their ranking. Alcohol is used to unwind after work and cope with the harsh working environment. Drugs and other substances are mainly used to maintain or improve performance. Abstract: This paper aims to explore chefs' experiences of the use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in Michelin-starred restaurants in Britain and Ireland. In total, 54 Head Chefs were interviewed in this study, which found AOD use to be part of their occupational culture. The work context plays a key role in this phenomenon in that harsh working conditions (such as heat, stress and long hours) provide fertile ground for AOD use as a means of self-medication and as a coping strategy. This study observes a normalisation of drinking to unwind. Even if this practice is detrimental to health, it is the coping mechanism used by chefs to deal with the stresses associated with the high end kitchen environment. Based on the findings of this research, it is argued that despite the industry's efforts to eliminate this phenomenon, AOD use is part of everyday life in high-end commercial kitchens.