Behind every delicious meal is a chef running on caffeine, weird sleep schedules, and the hope that nobody orders five minutes before closing.

Nobody said it would be easy. We get it: you liked cooking as a child, helping your parents in the kitchen whenever you could, and later you decided to become a chef. Sounds glamorous and fancy, right? Working in a big, stainless-steel kitchen with people next to you… We even watched a bunch of movies growing up that showcased a chef’s life like a celebrity one. But once you step into your first job as a cook, things get more chaotic than you ever expected… The heat, the smells, people yelling… It’s all part of the game. 

I’ve known a lot of chefs. Not only is my best friend one, but my Uncle Francis is too. From both of them, I get two different perspectives on what it’s like to be a chef and how their lives work. My friend has always worked at big, Michelin-starred restaurants, preparing fancy dishes in the smallest portions ever. She’s also into baking and has worked for famous cafés and bakeries in our hometown. She loved it at first, but the lifestyle was too exhausting, and she realized it wasn’t for her. She put down the spatulas and found a 9-to-5 job.

For my uncle Francis, on the other hand… nothing beats the chaos of a professional kitchen. To honor his work life, I put together this marvelous, yet chaotic and delicious, collection of cooking and chefs’ memes. So, Happy International Chef Day to my Uncle Francis and to all the amazing cooks out there. Today’s your day!