My Lumberjack Life: Tasharian Robinson
8/20/2021 12:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The internship opportunity at the Upper Kirby Bistro this summer was a great experience for me, and it was very beneficial in many levels. When I first walked in around 9:00 a.m. every day, I would have a small conversation with a few of the cooks, just to keep us all on the same page. Meeting with the cooks was honestly one of the best parts of the day. I would then get a cup of coffee with the Old Man, and he would let me know what he needed help with for the day. Usually, I would do things such as prep all the shrimp and salmon that was needed on the line by seasoning it, and then portion it out. Depending on the day, I would also help with making the oxtails for service and portion out different sauces, whether it would be for the macaroni and cheese or spinach dip.
Once I finished helping the Old Man, I would assist Roberto with chicken fabrication. On average, Roberto and I would break down at least five to six cases of chicken for multiple days throughout the week. By the time Roberto and I finished with all of the chicken while jamming out to the Selena station, it would be close to time for service. For lunch service, I would work in the window. This meant that I would take the food from Roberto, and other chefs would work on the line to the window for the servers and make sure that they got their order. During this time, there would be great conversation amongst everyone and also some sing along. Although it may not have been the "typical" structure of a kitchen, the fun aspect is what made this particular establishment special. Chef Keenan allowed everyone, no matter your position, to be yourself. He took the time to know everyone in a genuine fashion, and that is why the kitchen ran like a well-oiled machine. With the help from the kitchen manager Veronica and Chef Ryan, the kitchen never skipped a beat. Even on days when it seemed like the hole was so big during service, everyone would pull together and find a way to get the job done.
Roberto and the Old Man have been cooking pretty much their entire lives and haven't gotten tired of it yet. To see how just small talk over food can help you not only impact someone's life or make their day a little easier is another reason why I chose this field. Not only that, but since I took this internship, it meant that I had to be away for a little.
I am thankful for this experience because for some, telling them to put their sport on pause is wild. For me, it reminded me of characteristics that I may have lost over the years, the sacrifices that have been made by myself and my parents to get to this point. The love I have for this sport has grown beyond any point it has ever been. Taking the step back helped me realize that, the fear I used to put on myself of "failing" and "not being successful" is out of the window. Having that mindset put so much pressure on myself because there was a time that I thought basketball was all I had and all I could ever be. Taking this internship just reminded me even after the years of being separated that basketball doesn't define who I am, it is just one part of me.
Once I finished helping the Old Man, I would assist Roberto with chicken fabrication. On average, Roberto and I would break down at least five to six cases of chicken for multiple days throughout the week. By the time Roberto and I finished with all of the chicken while jamming out to the Selena station, it would be close to time for service. For lunch service, I would work in the window. This meant that I would take the food from Roberto, and other chefs would work on the line to the window for the servers and make sure that they got their order. During this time, there would be great conversation amongst everyone and also some sing along. Although it may not have been the "typical" structure of a kitchen, the fun aspect is what made this particular establishment special. Chef Keenan allowed everyone, no matter your position, to be yourself. He took the time to know everyone in a genuine fashion, and that is why the kitchen ran like a well-oiled machine. With the help from the kitchen manager Veronica and Chef Ryan, the kitchen never skipped a beat. Even on days when it seemed like the hole was so big during service, everyone would pull together and find a way to get the job done.
Roberto and the Old Man have been cooking pretty much their entire lives and haven't gotten tired of it yet. To see how just small talk over food can help you not only impact someone's life or make their day a little easier is another reason why I chose this field. Not only that, but since I took this internship, it meant that I had to be away for a little.
I am thankful for this experience because for some, telling them to put their sport on pause is wild. For me, it reminded me of characteristics that I may have lost over the years, the sacrifices that have been made by myself and my parents to get to this point. The love I have for this sport has grown beyond any point it has ever been. Taking the step back helped me realize that, the fear I used to put on myself of "failing" and "not being successful" is out of the window. Having that mindset put so much pressure on myself because there was a time that I thought basketball was all I had and all I could ever be. Taking this internship just reminded me even after the years of being separated that basketball doesn't define who I am, it is just one part of me.
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