When you hear “high-performance kitchen,” what comes to mind? For many, it is frantic chaos, shouting chefs and constant pressure. The classic “burnout, blood, and sweat” image. But what if a truly high-performing kitchen thrived not on stress and toxicity but on a culture of respect, emotional intelligence and positive leadership?
It’s time to debunk the myth of a ‘toxic kitchen’ and set a new standard for the food industry. A Positive Kitchen that values its people, fosters clear communication, and encourages teamwork can elevate performance in ways that a high-pressure environment simply can’t. Let’s dive into how building a positive kitchen culture doesn’t just have a positive impact on your staff: it helps to drive business results, boosts morale, and ultimately helps to contribute to a stronger bottom line.
The Impact of Kitchen Culture on Performance
Kitchen culture is more than just a vibe; it’s a critical factor in your restaurant's success. A positive team culture directly influences everything from staff retention to guest satisfaction and business performance. When people feel valued, respected and supported, they’re more likely to bring their best selves to work every day. And when your team is performing at their best, your kitchen runs like a well-oiled machine.
Create policies to put your staff first
A 2022 study by Engr Mohamad Shammout has shown that when team members are valued and respected, they are more collaborative, less likely to experience burnout, and more focused on producing great work. Building a positive team culture makes these values the very fabric of your business, driving performance and creating an environment that people want to grow in.
“Whether a company has made the choice to put their team and their customers at the center of every decision will be what separates the great ones from the pack.”
– Will Guidara, excerpt from “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect”
But how can you build a positive culture in your kitchen? Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Practical Strategies for Building a Positive Team Culture
REWORK ASSETS FOR WEBPAGE: https://www.instagram.com/wearefairkitchens/p/DE19Q5UzcI3/?img_index=1
1. Lead with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
As a Chef, you have the responsibility not only to be a great cook, but also to be an inspiring leader and teammate. The first step towards positive leadership is understanding and valuing your team members as people first. “Respect everyone, no matter their role, says Chef Wesley Bay, Unilever Food Solutions Belgium, “Without dish washers, Chefs wouldn’t have clean plates. We all play a role in a kitchen’s success”.
This means understanding what drives people, what challenges them and how to support them. When your team feels heard and seen, they’re more likely to take ownership of their work, contributing more energy and focus to every dish.
Actionable Tip: Start every shift with a quick check-in. Ask each team member how they’re feeling, and if they’re dealing with personal challenges, show empathy. This builds trust and humanises your leadership approach.
“Daily thirty-minute meeting is where a collection of individuals becomes a team.”
– Will Guidara*
2. Foster open communication
Miscommunication in a kitchen can lead to mistakes and frustration, two things no crew needs more of. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable communicating openly, both with you and with each other.
Chef Mariana Morales, Unilever Food Solutions Mexico, believes a chef has to set the tone for open and honest communication: “When people can ask questions and don’t fear feedback, they can grow personally and professionally.”
Actionable Tip: Schedule regular An Hour for Us meetings where everyone can discuss challenges, share ideas, and ask for feedback. This creates a routine of communication and prevents small issues from becoming big problems.
3. Find solutions, not problems
A positive mindset in the kitchen doesn’t mean avoiding negativity but turning it into a chance for growth and development. Everyone makes mistakes and it’s essential that employees are given the tools not to repeat them again.
From the moment you give compassionate feedback, offer a tailored development plan to help your team members overcome their difficulties. In this way, you will build trust and make the team feel safe and supported to improve.
Actionable Tip: Set up a mentoring scheme where junior team members can learn from senior professionals. The food industry is all about being curious and learning, so make it a cornerstone of your positive team culture.
4. Celebrate wins
Nothing has a positive impact on staff like celebrating the good moments. When a dish is executed perfectly, recognise it. When a team member solves a problem, highlight it. This positive reinforcement fosters confidence, motivation, and an environment where everyone strives to do their best.
Chef Michelle Trusselle, Myristica, has made staff appraisal one of the pillars of her kitchen culture: “Thank your staff for all they do. Publicly praise work that is done well. Get to know your team and them as individuals, not just as employees.”
Actionable Tip: Create a “team shout-out” system where staff members can recognise one another’s achievements. Whether it’s a great service or a creative solution to a problem, spotlighting those moments keeps morale high and boasts a positive mindset.
5 Steps Chefs Can Take to Build a Positive Kitchen
1. Lead by Example
As the leader, your behaviour shapes the culture of the kitchen. Stay composed under pressure, communicate respectfully, and demonstrate a positive attitude. When you show positive leadership, your team will be inspired to follow suit and mirror that behaviour in their interactions with each other.
“A leader’s role isn’t only to motivate and uplift; sometimes it’s to earn the trust of your team by being human with them.”
– Will Guidara*
2. Implement the Positive Kitchen Code
To help you on your journey towards a more positive kitchen, we’ve created the Positive Kitchen Code. It provides a framework based on five pillars: Togetherness, Empathy, Act as One, Mindfulness and Speak Up. Each covers a fundamental aspect of an effective team, from inclusion to growth and development to open communication. You can print it and hang it in your kitchen to have these 5 golden rules always at hand. Get your free Positive Kitchens Code here.
3. Encourage Positive Habits
Encourage habits that promote mental wellness, such as staying hydrated, eating well, and getting enough rest. You could also offer resources, like BodyArt workouts that you could all do together before a shift or offer free memberships to relaxation apps for employees. What’s more, don't forget the importance of taking regular breaks: “Encourage a culture where breaks are seen as essential for maintaining performance and health,” stresses Chef Eric Chua, Unilever Food Solutions Singapore and Vietnam.
“Hire great people, treat them well, and invest deeply into their personal and professional growth, and they will take great care of your customers.”
– Will Guidara*
Positive Kitchen Culture = High Business Performance
The misconception that a high-performance kitchen must be a high-pressure, toxic environment is not only wrong but also harmful. By prioritising empathy, communication and collaboration, you can create a kitchen culture that not only supports your team but also drives success. A positive team culture means a high-performing team, and that performance will inevitably reflect in both the quality of your food and the success of your business.
So, chefs, let’s challenge the toxic kitchen myth. Create an environment where people are valued, supported, and encouraged to grow. It’s time to redefine what it means to be a high-performance kitchen, and it starts with you.
*Excerpt from “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect”
