Is it a class thing?

[Pollypenguin01]

I don’t really want to go into the why’s of this question as it’s pretty outing but I’m looking for a average opinion.

Would you ever take a ‘gift’ for the kitchen staff at a restaurant?
Has this always been a thing to do?
Do you have to be of a certain class and in a certain class of establishment for this to be the norm?
If you happen to be a Chef/waiting staff/restaurant owner/etc would you think it very strange for a customer to bring a gift for the chef and cooking staff?

The example of gifts would be, a pack of beer, some mini cakes or doughnuts, some other appropriate food or drink multi pack.

YANBU = God no, I have never heard of this!
YABU = you’re clearly some sort of cretin that doesn’t know how to behave in civilised society!

Please feel free to explain your vote!

Not quiet the same but I do buy an end of term gift for my mid-day supervisor at the end of the year. Not sure I would kitchen staff if a chef

Never heard of this. Sounds odd unless you know them or they are going above and beyond in some way - e.g. opening outside of usual hours for you. Tip is the usual way to show appreciation, and you can ask if it gets split between everyone (seems the norm in most London establishments now anyway)/ specify that you want some to get to the kitchen staff.

Or maybe if it was Christmas and you go there a lot. But definitely not the norm in my opinion.

Its very thoughtful indeed, it must've started by someone scared to eat in restaurant in case the kichen staff put something in the food lol.. Joking!!

Never heard of this before... I dont think it has anything to do with class either.

I suppose if you are an independent restaurant and a regular gives you something for Christmas or a really foodie thing from a holiday I could understand it, otherwise

No never.

Do you mean a customer would take a gift for the chef and other kitchen staff? Like, after they've eaten a meal at a restaurant? Would they go into the kitchen themselves with a pack of beer? That seems very bizarre!! Have you seen anyone actually do this op?

Never heard of it, though itsthe sort of thing the Greek side of my family might do.

Just a random restaurant, albeit a perfectly pleasant one. Not regulars and about an hour from home.

I'm assuming you mean a customer bringing in a gift? I've never heard of that ever. Worked at a 'naice' restaurant in a big city for 3 years at uni and it never happened even once, not even with regular guests.

Weird. Never heard of it.

i work at tgi fridays and the only ones who get tips are the front of house staff no one in seven years has ever sent a gift to the chefs

No they take a gift for the kitchen staff before the meal.
I’m not sure if it also includes the waiting staff as nothing said about them but definitely ‘here is a gift for the kitchen staff’

Sounds bizarre, unless you're a supplier.

I don't think it's a class thing OP just a highly unusual one!

A wee bit odd. Mind you I used to go to an independent cafe nearby. It was very child friendly (playroom). At Christmas I popped in with a box of chocolate for the staff

Never heard of this.

The only time I might consider buying gifts for restaurant staff would be if I personally knew the chef and it was an opening night or a special occasion. Or if I were hosting a large event that involved an excessive amount of additional work for them.

Other than that, I'm paying for the meal and they are doing their job. To me that isn't a transaction that also requires a gift.

What, they rock up with a pack of beer and some doughnuts?!

Never heard of this I think it’s weird! They probably aren’t allowed to eat in the kitchen but i imagine treats are well received!

Buying a chef a pack of shop bought mini donuts is probably an insult, and in fact most of those things would be weird gifts to anyone (multipack of drink?!) but especially to restaurant staff.

The only half way normal version of this, and I’m not even sure it’s that normal, is my Dad once gave wine to some restaurant staff- the wine was from an extremely good vineyard owned by a friend, and he was a weekly regular at the restaurant which was known for its wine list and he genuinely wanted them to try it.

Generally though, I’d stick to tried and tested method of showing your appreciation by giving a really good tip!

I have been shown this link as more evidence that it’s very normal.

‘Bringing a gift for the kitchen is a kind gesture that can vault you to VIP status.’
“[My] number-one secret is to bring a gift for the kitchen. They work super hard under extreme pressure. The kitchen loves when you bring a gift. Alcohol is always appreciated, but [any] token of appreciation is always nice. Donuts, ice cream, your favorite tacos," Cesar Nuñez, executive chef of Longway Tavern in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Insider“

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.insider.com/chefs-reveal-the-things-they-wish-diners-knew

Are you in America? Different culture different "rules".

WTF? I would like to post something like:

10 things people-in-Andylion's-profession wish everyone knew.

Numbers 1-8 would be: give us lots of stuff, preferably chocolate.

No both parties are English.

Nope, never. I've occasionally asked for my thanks to be passed on to the chef if the meal has been particularly special. But never sent a gift to the chefs. And I've eaten in restaurants in several countries, including America, and never seen anyone else do it either.