Dishwasher Job Nightmare Leads to Rethinking Chef Career

Commenter shares their experience working in a high-end golf course restaurant kitchen.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:34pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic dishwashing object such as a sponge, gloves, or sink repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the repetitive and demanding nature of dishwashing work in a modern pop art style.A pop art tribute to the unsung heroes of the restaurant industry: the hardworking dishwashers who toil in the hot, messy trenches.Flagstaff Today

A commenter on the ResetEra forum shared their experience working as a dishwasher at a high-end golf course restaurant, describing it as a 'nightmare' due to the intense pace, heat, and constant mess during busy weekend dinner service. This led them to reconsider their initial goal of becoming a chef, as they realized the demanding nature of restaurant work.

Why it matters

The commenter's story highlights the challenging realities of working in the restaurant industry, especially in high-pressure environments like upscale golf course eateries. Their experience provides insight into how difficult and grueling certain kitchen jobs can be, which is valuable information for those considering a culinary career.

The details

The commenter worked as a dishwasher for six months at a golf course restaurant that had two courses running out of one clubhouse. The restaurant was very busy with tourists and business travelers, and they had extremely tight tee times of only seven minutes between groups, despite charging $300 per player. This led to long, drawn-out rounds of golf that could last 5-7 hours, frustrating both the staff and the customers. The commenter described the kitchen environment as a 'hot dish pit' where they were constantly sweating and getting food all over their apron during the hectic weekend dinner service.

  • The commenter worked as a dishwasher for approximately six months.
  • This experience occurred when the commenter was younger and was considering becoming a chef.

The players

Commenter

An individual who shared their experience working as a dishwasher at a high-end golf course restaurant on the ResetEra forum.

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What they’re saying

“Weekend dinner service was a nightmare. You're in a hot dish pit, sweating and getting food all over your apron.”

— Commenter

The takeaway

The commenter's experience as a dishwasher at the high-pressure golf course restaurant led them to reconsider their initial goal of becoming a chef, as they realized the demanding and unpleasant nature of certain kitchen jobs. This story provides valuable insight into the realities of restaurant work and the importance of understanding the challenges of different culinary roles before pursuing a career in the industry.