Toxic and abusive - Chef De Parties Hiakai Employee Review

I spent almost exactly a year at Hiakai, and it was a amazing experience. The team and management at Hiakai were consummate professionals, and all pushing themselves at a frenetic pace. It's clear that fine dining isn't for everyone, as an employment option or as a dining experience, pressure is very high, delicate feelings can sometimes take bruisings. But I experience nothing but respect, courtesy and Aroha during my time there. I saw many people come and go, but this is not an easy industry to stay in for any length of time without some measure of passion or at least professional interest.

The stairs, omg, all the stairs.

Learned valuable tips from fellow employees

Consistent verbal abuse, witnessing physical abuse, humiliation, anxiety and depression inducing pressure, terrible wages, mind games, 14 hour shifts. Not a place to grow as an individual- put me off hospitality for 2 years and made me severley depressed. Monique would tell you to do something and then the next day ask why you've done it - she is constantly hypocritical and lying.