Endings

There's something surreal about being somewhere at the end, as the last gasps of what made my place, our crew, special slide into the past.

This past week resignation notice after notice poured into the office.

I'm not talking about some neewbies or worthless server, I'm talking the core staff.

Including my notice.

This past week and this next one coming up are something different.

The group is going to be split, sure there are assurances of everyone hanging out and all of that, but damn, seriously these are some of the best people I've worked with and dammit!

Most of us are going to better places, high end steakhouses, bistros, wine bars and the such.

Most of us have been recruited by friends or management in other restaurants, and I take that as a supreme compliment.

I have no less than three different gigs at high end jobs waiting for me.

But I think I'll take the small, privatly owned and decidedly not corperate path.

And really, I can't get much higher in this business as far as the food, wine, money, recognition and establishment type, at least not in my town.

I could always take manager, there's been offers.

But I really don't want a demotion.

After all when you leave a restaurant who do you remember, the manager, on his way to the office for a nap...

Or the waiter who can guide you to precisely what you want, paired with the wine perfect wine, followed by a wonderful after dinner port and dessert.

But I digress...

So as we have these last few nights out at the pub it feels like an ending not only to a job, but to where I have been for the last years.

I've met some great friends here, they've been there for me, and I've been there for them.

Here's to them, the best damn staff I've ever had the privelige of working with.

Something like this is special, and I've only seen it on rare occasion, but we're all brothers and sisters here, and all I can say is dammit.

Its a shame management is driving us off like this, and they only now have a clue that they're losing a staff of such quality, knowledge and skill.

And as with the last place I worked, I swore that this was my last serving job.

Maybe this new one will be, maybe not.

But dammit, what a ride.

And what a shame...