The Burnt Chef Project: Mental Health Support for Hospitality

Working in hospitality can be rewarding, but it can also place considerable pressure on the people working within it. Long and antisocial hours, demanding customers, financial uncertainty and the constant pressure to perform can all take their toll.

The Burnt Chef Project was founded by Kris Hall in 2019 to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health within the hospitality industry. I know Kris through work and have followed the development of the project as it has grown from a UK initiative into a global organisation.

Its work deserves the attention of everyone involved in hospitality, including restaurant owners, managers, chefs and front-of-house teams.

Why is The Burnt Chef Project needed?

Research conducted by the project found that four out of five hospitality professionals had experienced at least one mental health issue during their careers. An earlier survey also found that 46% would not feel comfortable discussing their concerns with colleagues.

These figures will probably not surprise anyone who has spent time working in a professional kitchen or restaurant.

Hospitality often celebrates resilience and the ability to keep going under pressure. However, there is a difference between coping with a busy service and feeling unable to admit that you are struggling.

The Burnt Chef Project wants to create an industry in which people can discuss their mental health without being judged or treated as though they are unable to do their jobs.

What support is available?

The Burnt Chef Project provides a range of services for both individuals and hospitality businesses.

Individuals can access free, confidential mental health support 24 hours a day. This can help with stress, burnout, relationships, financial worries, workplace problems and other issues that may be affecting their wellbeing.

The organisation also provides free online learning, podcasts, articles and practical resources intended to help hospitality workers understand and manage their mental health.

For employers, support includes workplace mental health and wellbeing training, Mental Health First Aid courses, burnout awareness, management training and an Employee Assistance Programme. Free workplace resources are also available to help businesses start conversations and provide better support for their teams.

The aim is not simply to respond when somebody reaches crisis point. It is also about helping managers recognise problems earlier and creating workplaces where people feel able to speak honestly.

Support for hospitality employers

Mental health should not be treated as a problem for individual employees to solve alone.

Restaurant owners and managers have an important role in creating a healthy workplace culture. This includes looking at working hours, management styles, bullying, harassment, staffing levels and the pressures placed on employees.

The Burnt Chef Project can help businesses understand these issues and put practical support in place. It offers training and workplace programmes specifically designed for hospitality, rather than applying generic advice to an industry with very particular pressures.

Providing proper support is good for employees, but it also makes commercial sense. A healthier workplace can help reduce absence, improve staff retention and create better relationships between managers and their teams.

How to get help

If you work in hospitality and need someone to talk to, The Burnt Chef Project provides free and confidential support.

In the UK you can:

• Text BURNTCHEF to 85258
• Call 0800 243 458
• Visit the free mental health support page

No referral is required and there is no charge for using the service.

Hospitality businesses interested in training, workplace support or the Employee Assistance Programme can explore the services for businesses or email info@theburntchefproject.com.

You can also support the project by donating, fundraising, becoming an ambassador or helping to make more people within the industry aware of the support available.

Mental health problems do not always show on the outside. If you are struggling, or you are concerned about someone you work with, don’t wait for things to reach boiling point. Contact The Burnt Chef Project and start the conversation.