Best and worst compliment before I took a management position was when fellow union workers said chef to me. It was both a compliment and a curse. Once I took on a management position, as a chef, I really didn't like it. Basically told them, that I was once in your shoes, I want to see you work smarter, not harder, and lets make good quality food. I'm here to teach you, so please don't put fucking cheese on asian style cuisine, seriously, what the fuck, go look at a chinese menu, a thai menu, a japanese menu, besides creme cheese on goddamn sushi and maybe in crab rangoons, cheese does not exist. Quit fucking doing it. Goddammit. If you put some coriander, cumin, chili powder, basically put taco seasoning on that shit, I'd except it. FUCK.

Anyhow coworkers.... Fuck you, call me chef, and I'll take it, family? friends, yep I'm totally a chef. Random girl I meet at the bar? Yep a chef. People that actually know about me and care about the minor differentiation, well technically, I'm probably a cook, but I'm the cook that is allowed to run things and is left on his own much of the time. I'm also the guy that is given free reign on plenty. I'm also the guy when the chef comes up and asks how I'm/we are doing, I'll point him kindly in the direction he should be concerned about. Yes, chef, I'm doing dandy, go help out x, y, and z, I got my responsibilities covered.

Then again, when you tell your direct boss what time you should come in, and are given free reign over your own schedule..... As long as your direct responsibilities are covered.

I'm done, I have 6 hours before I have to back to the grind, and I'm winding down from a couple brews.... Yay.