But kitchens are brutal places. There, one learns the cost of refinement. Professional cooking is about technical expertise instilled through hierarchy and discipline. There is no flexibility and precious little creativity. Surviving in such an environment takes its toll.
Chefs have a distinctively pallid appearance.
The histrionics of popular legend do take place, but in their proper context they seem more desperate than amusing. Frank may have relished what he did, but he seemed to be an exception. Terre had been sacked. Apparently he had branded one of his staff with a hot knife. This was the man at whose feet I had wanted to weep.