Also, I was way more creative when I smoked. My clarity and memory was much better back when I smoked, then it has been since quitting smoking. I always hoped that would come back, but it hasn’t.

I’d also point out, most of my best recipes were created while being a smoker… go-figure.

Working in a kitchen is very demanding both physically and mentally. Constantly running around in a hot kitchen whilst trying to manage wait-staff, managers and a constant barrage of orders is no easy task.

When you manage a moment to collect your thoughts and hit the break room, or finish your shift, the first thing one does is collapse in a chair and fire up a cigarette.

The culture of cooking is one that encourages smoking, though… It’s been years since I worked in a commercial kitchen but I can’t imagine it’s changed much – a subculture of people who work when everyone else is playing, ending the night at bizarre hours, lots of drinking, lots of partying, lots of machismo. It’s definitely a lifestyle choice as much as a career choice.