I'm an executive chef, navigating the imbalances of the restaurant industry. Our system is flawed; servers often outearn most cooks, despite their shifts being half as long, and their stress levels remarkably lower. Every successful dinner service is a team effort, with cooks working tirelessly behind the scenes, often without breaks, and rarely ever granted their requested days off.

I am launching this petition because, as a chef, it is nerve-racking to witness an entry-level server leave a five-hour shift with more money than the chef who prepared the food. This reality is grim, reflecting vast inequity plaguing our industry.

We are advocating for a law that requires restaurants to include an option on a customer's bill to tip the kitchen staff, creating a fairer distribution of tips within the establishment. This will not only give cooks the acknowledgment they deserve for their hard work, but it will also encourage a more balanced compensation system in the restaurant business.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for chefs and head cooks was $51,530 per year in 2019, while servers often make significantly more, largely due to tips, despite their shorter work hours [1]. This shows the stark disparity within our industry.

Let's push for a change that rewards everyone involved in providing you with a memorable dining experience. A system where the hard-working men and women in the kitchen are justly compensated. Please sign this petition and support equality in the restaurant industry.