In Beloved, Toni Morrison demonstrates the effect that community cooperation has on the individuals within it. The Cincinnati community had a part in creating both the most disappointing, tragic scenes as well as the most blissful scenes within the novel. Made up of runaway and emancipated slaves, Cincinnati’s black community plays a key role in the events that occur at 124. Throughout the novel, Sethe’s family is forced to survive after being rejected by the community and, later, join forces with them in order to move on from their past.
Similarly, in a foodservice establishment, the various positions within it must assist one another in order to maintain a successful workplace. A restaurant is typically split up into two sections: front of house and back of house. Although in the same house, the two sections are as different as day and night. The front of house generally consists of the dining room, where the customer comes to enjoy the food, listening to relaxing music and conversing with friends. This is where the greeters, servers, and other wait staff do majority of their work. And then there is the kitchen, also known as the back of house. This is where the magic happens, where it’s so hot that your apron’s grease stains are undistinguishable from your sweat stains, where the radio is playing not-for-children music, where the executive chef calls out orders, and where the line cooks are packed elbow to elbow trying to get their dish out as fast as possible without losing quality.
Similarly, in a foodservice establishment, the various positions within it must assist one another in order to maintain a successful workplace. A restaurant is typically split up into two sections: front of house and back of house. Although in the same house, the two sections are as different as day and night. The front of house generally consists of the dining room, where the customer comes to enjoy the food, listening to relaxing music and conversing with friends. This is where the greeters, servers, and other wait staff do majority of their work. And then there is the kitchen, also known as the back of house. This is where the magic happens, where it’s so hot that your apron’s grease stains are undistinguishable from your sweat stains, where the radio is playing not-for-children music, where the executive chef calls out orders, and where the line cooks are packed elbow to elbow trying to get their dish out as fast as possible without losing quality.
In Beloved and restaurant alike, there are periods in which the members are not in cooperation. In both of the settings, this disunity leads to undesirable outcomes. In beloved, following the 28th day of Sethe’s escape from slavery, the community jealousy of her family’s lifestyle leads to Sethe almost being captured by her former slave master, ultimately leading to Sethe murdering her child. This is the lowest point of Sethe’s life, and it didn’t even have to happen. The community, impeded by the understanding that they were barely surviving and Sethe’s family was throwing parties for the whole community, chose not to warn her and her family when they saw the slave catchers on their way to 124. Just like in Beloved, if the back of the house and the front of the house are not in cooperation, the restaurant will not thrive. If the wait staff decided to just say, “Forget this (Insert cuss words)” and begin to work in divergence with the back of the houses desires then there would be chaos. The servers are expected to verbally alter the menus and be patient when items have been 86’d, the menus were changed last minute, or time is running short on orders. Likewise, the back of the house is expected to notify the servers if ingredients are running low or if they may be a little late in finishing a dish.
Disunity in the kitchen
There are also periods when the front of house and the back of house are working together perfectly: dishes are coming out at consistent intervals, customer service is remarkable, and everything is going as planned. In these moments of tranquility, the restaurant will survive. This is also the case in Beloved. It is only when Denver leaves 124 and becomes a part of the community that Sethe’s family finally overpowers their plight and moves on from the past. When Sethe’s family and the community as well as the front of house and back of house are united, they can finally reach their full potential and overcome any barriers.
Images:
http://cliverich.com/blog/the-importance-of-harmony-and-team-unity-in-negotiation/
http://blog.beeflambnz.co.nz/2014/01/team-work-in-the-kitchen/
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2008/05/06/what-makes-a-successful-restaurant/
For more info: https://ashleysculinaryadventures.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/front-of-house-vs-back-of-house/
http://cliverich.com/blog/the-importance-of-harmony-and-team-unity-in-negotiation/
http://blog.beeflambnz.co.nz/2014/01/team-work-in-the-kitchen/
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2008/05/06/what-makes-a-successful-restaurant/
For more info: https://ashleysculinaryadventures.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/front-of-house-vs-back-of-house/