Take a deep breath and get stuck in
It's that time of year again when the Greenhouse shuts down for a week and we work like madmen trying to fit four weeks worth of cleaning, painting and decorating - and staff holidays - into a mere five days.
This is day four and so far I have the restaurant to paint, restock, stencil and get ready to open on Saturday. To be honest, I'm thinking we haven't got a hope in hell's chance.
We're also short-staffed - again. It's not that I'm a terrible boss or the work's too hard. It's just that people don't seem to want to be in the catering trade anymore.
One young lad I've been training up wants to get into the Army's catering division, so he went to see the Army careers adviser. But the adviser just told the lad to come back when he had his mock exam results from school so that he could find him a real trade, instead. Clearly, he reckoned only people of low intelligence became chefs. What chance do we have?
But we keep trying. So if anyone out there fancies a job in my restaurant, please feel free to telephone.
It's so typical, isn't it? You either have too many staff and not many bookings or you find yourself self-short staffed with work coming out of your ears. It's a good job I can change job titles like I can change loo rolls in the toilets.
I don't mind going in the restaurant for a short while but I am happier in the kitchen. I don't really like talking to customers - I never know what to say. I find myself nattering away about nothing and then feeling a bit embarrassed later on. I realise that people who know me won't agree but I am really quite a shy person.
Still, it's all part of being your own boss - if you don't do a job that needs doing, then nobody else will. So now I find myself looking ahead at longer hours and less and less time with my family. I just hope they will understand.
I feel a holiday coming on. A few days away with the family may be the tonic we all need. But I'm not looking for anything too relaxing - I couldn't sit still for long.
It has been a sad week for me because a dear friend of mine has passed away. Dave Wood, the previous owner of the restaurant, was a great man and a hard worker. Not only did he give me a chance when my luck was down but he also welcomed me in his own family. I feel like the adopted daughter.
If it hadn't been for him I think I would be working in some job I didn't really want to be in. He taught me you could be nice to staff and still get what you want and that the customers really do come first.
He left an indelible mark on my life, and for that I will always be grateful. He was a kind and gentle person and I will miss him dearly. Thanks, Dave. For everything.
Helen Cutts is chef-proprietor of the Greenhouse restaurant in Warkworth, Northumberland
