Saw the video. Close to tears a couple times. Always knew Kenji had a thing with alcohol (as many of us) but seeing him come out with this in this way is just really valuable to me.
Thanks Kenji man. For everything and all the company I’ve felt from your videos, but also for this. It’s one day at a time.
realgangstuff
Powerful
Even_Mud2745
Alcohol abuse is too normalized not only in kitchens but also society as a whole. It’s scary how many people have a problem and either don’t realize it or know they’re too reliant on it and simply can’t stop. I binge drank every day for years and knew I had a problem for a good while but kept drinking. I’d tell myself “you have a problem” and “you shouldn’t be doing this” as I was driving to the liquor store to get more like my body was being piloted by a force outside of myself. I’m 594 days sober now (should hit 600 on Christmas!), but I have my wife (girlfriend when I first started trying to quit) to thank for it. If she hadn’t come along and shown genuine interest in helping me, I probably would still be drinking. It was something I couldn’t overcome alone.
[deleted]
[deleted]
VALTIELENTINE
This must have been hard for you to share.
Thank you, Kenji, this video is a really important and meaningful thing you have done for your community
El_Mariachi_Vive
Fuck. That letter was tough to listen to him read. It’s oddly comforting that someone else with some success has struggled with things I struggle with. But God damn it this is hard.
External-Pollution78
I was business manager for one of the world’s best bars from 2008 to 2011. I walked away from it all due to stress & moved to Costa Rica towards the end of 2011. A year TO THE DAY after I arrived in CR I had a nervous breakdown due to years of unchecked industry (and life) stress. I was able say the words ‘I need help’ & found a place for inpatient treatment for 3 months. While there I had a psychotic break. I guess my point for posting is you never know the toll the success (and life) takes on people.
I hope Kenji finds a path forward for himself. Mine has been zero stress & no more hospitality industry
Pumpkinmatrix
I wish that more people with this type of alcohol addiction would speak up about it. You don’t have to be a blackout liquor drunk, or someone who drinks at work, or physically dependent on alcohol to be an alcoholic.
My experience mirrors what Kenji was talking about in a lot of ways. There is a 15 year block of my life when i worked in restaurants that I had at least 2 beers basically every single day (often more, but that was the baseline). It has never cost me a job or a friendship or a relationship. It has cost me my time and money and health. I still drink, only on weekends and never to excess, but I think about drinking vs not drinking every single day. I’ve spent a lot of that same period of my life using drugs: mainly weed, but I’ve dabbled in everything (not including needles). I’ve quit nicotine for almost 10 years now. I’ve never craved coke in my life. But alcohol still occupies this place in my mind that can’t be overstated.
elcapitan520
Over 6 years without booze now (California sober as much as I hate that term). I honestly couldn’t have done it if I was still in kitchens. I would have made me a much better cook, employee, friend, co-worker, and generally a better person to be around.
Figure out your relationship. I wasn’t an everyday drinker necessarily, but I was a binger for sure. I quit cold turkey and had basically the opposite experience with quitting that Kenji describes. Everyone is different.
If you can moderate, I’m really happy for you. But the industry will do you no favors in this regard.
It’s very good to have someone like Kenji coming out and talking about this. Talk to your friends and co-workers about this. talk to them about money/wages too. Break those stigmas.
electr1cbubba
I couldn’t kick the booze until I got outta the industry
TehFuriousOne
Yeah.. I felt this. Espeically the first 10 minutes.
BumblebeeUseful714
I’ll be one year on Jan 1!
Alcohol abuse is way too normalized in society.
professor-hot-tits
Tomorrow is the 4th year we will celebrate my kid’s dad’s birthday at his grave. He was 43 and never missed a day of work due to his drinking.
Cold turkey isn’t for everyone. My best girlfriend had to do medical detox, she’s been sober 3 years now.
SVAuspicious
As alcoholics and substance abuser do, Mr. Lopez-Alt lies. He is belligerent. I’ve been on the receiving end from him. That mean be a result of substances. Maybe he’s just mean. If you don’t drink his Kool-Aid he’s an AH. Second opinion: he’s a whore to advertising. That weird extra ingredient in a recipe? Paid for.
imagoblinshark
I’m the only person in my kitchen that doesn’t drink. I’m also 1206 days sober. Was barely functioning before I quit.
UnluckyWriting
Good for him. I’m seven years sober. Best thing I ever did!
BakeNo8714
not trying to be a dick but he kinda looked healthier a year or so ago when he was still drinking.
Bombaysbreakfastclub
Looks like he’s traded one addiction for another (exercise)
18 Comments
Saw the video. Close to tears a couple times. Always knew Kenji had a thing with alcohol (as many of us) but seeing him come out with this in this way is just really valuable to me.
Thanks Kenji man. For everything and all the company I’ve felt from your videos, but also for this. It’s one day at a time.
Powerful
Alcohol abuse is too normalized not only in kitchens but also society as a whole. It’s scary how many people have a problem and either don’t realize it or know they’re too reliant on it and simply can’t stop. I binge drank every day for years and knew I had a problem for a good while but kept drinking. I’d tell myself “you have a problem” and “you shouldn’t be doing this” as I was driving to the liquor store to get more like my body was being piloted by a force outside of myself. I’m 594 days sober now (should hit 600 on Christmas!), but I have my wife (girlfriend when I first started trying to quit) to thank for it. If she hadn’t come along and shown genuine interest in helping me, I probably would still be drinking. It was something I couldn’t overcome alone.
[deleted]
This must have been hard for you to share.
Thank you, Kenji, this video is a really important and meaningful thing you have done for your community
Fuck. That letter was tough to listen to him read. It’s oddly comforting that someone else with some success has struggled with things I struggle with. But God damn it this is hard.
I was business manager for one of the world’s best bars from 2008 to 2011. I walked away from it all due to stress & moved to Costa Rica towards the end of 2011. A year TO THE DAY after I arrived in CR I had a nervous breakdown due to years of unchecked industry (and life) stress. I was able say the words ‘I need help’ & found a place for inpatient treatment for 3 months. While there I had a psychotic break. I guess my point for posting is you never know the toll the success (and life) takes on people.
I hope Kenji finds a path forward for himself. Mine has been zero stress & no more hospitality industry
I wish that more people with this type of alcohol addiction would speak up about it. You don’t have to be a blackout liquor drunk, or someone who drinks at work, or physically dependent on alcohol to be an alcoholic.
My experience mirrors what Kenji was talking about in a lot of ways. There is a 15 year block of my life when i worked in restaurants that I had at least 2 beers basically every single day (often more, but that was the baseline). It has never cost me a job or a friendship or a relationship. It has cost me my time and money and health. I still drink, only on weekends and never to excess, but I think about drinking vs not drinking every single day. I’ve spent a lot of that same period of my life using drugs: mainly weed, but I’ve dabbled in everything (not including needles). I’ve quit nicotine for almost 10 years now. I’ve never craved coke in my life. But alcohol still occupies this place in my mind that can’t be overstated.
Over 6 years without booze now (California sober as much as I hate that term). I honestly couldn’t have done it if I was still in kitchens. I would have made me a much better cook, employee, friend, co-worker, and generally a better person to be around.
Figure out your relationship. I wasn’t an everyday drinker necessarily, but I was a binger for sure. I quit cold turkey and had basically the opposite experience with quitting that Kenji describes. Everyone is different.
If you can moderate, I’m really happy for you. But the industry will do you no favors in this regard.
It’s very good to have someone like Kenji coming out and talking about this. Talk to your friends and co-workers about this. talk to them about money/wages too. Break those stigmas.
I couldn’t kick the booze until I got outta the industry
Yeah.. I felt this. Espeically the first 10 minutes.
I’ll be one year on Jan 1!
Alcohol abuse is way too normalized in society.
Tomorrow is the 4th year we will celebrate my kid’s dad’s birthday at his grave. He was 43 and never missed a day of work due to his drinking.
Cold turkey isn’t for everyone. My best girlfriend had to do medical detox, she’s been sober 3 years now.
As alcoholics and substance abuser do, Mr. Lopez-Alt lies. He is belligerent. I’ve been on the receiving end from him. That mean be a result of substances. Maybe he’s just mean. If you don’t drink his Kool-Aid he’s an AH. Second opinion: he’s a whore to advertising. That weird extra ingredient in a recipe? Paid for.
I’m the only person in my kitchen that doesn’t drink. I’m also 1206 days sober. Was barely functioning before I quit.
Good for him. I’m seven years sober. Best thing I ever did!
not trying to be a dick but he kinda looked healthier a year or so ago when he was still drinking.
Looks like he’s traded one addiction for another (exercise)