that guy

That guy has foresight. When he's around, shit gets done even if he's not the one doing it. Unfortunately, when he's not around, very little gets accomplished and any "getting ahead" is unheard of. He may be the owner, the Exec, the CdC or the Sous, but when he's not there, things don't happen for some reason.  When he (Jah forbid) takes two days off in a row, he comes back to a huge prep list and all the "getting ahead" in the kitchen's savings account has been depleted.  Items that take three days to order, receive, possibly thaw, prep, chill, vacuum seal, whatever and complete are just beginning the journey on that slow road. Most kitchen staff, especially the lazy ones (even if they're the boss), tend to have it in for that guy.  They can't really explain why, just something to do with the fact that he keeps them on their toes and never lets them slack like their human nature wants.  They don't even realize they're not slacking when he's there, but don't try explaining this.  It takes less than ten minutes to start to-morrow's prep list, scribble out the beginning's of the next orders and do a rudimentary freezer pull.  You can even do it after you change your clothes, check Foobooz and you can even do it with a cocktail already on ice.  That guy drives a train that you can't and helps the professional kitchen by making sure that dozens of components mesh somehow and it really is easier if you just listen to him and let him run his show.  Even if you're the boss.  (Rumor has it that some kitchens have more than that guy ("those guys?"), but I don't buy it.)