Life can end at any time, it can end when we get into a car wreck unexpectedly, we can fall out of the shower stall and whack our head on the sharp edge of the sink counter, we can die of a stroke even when the doctor tells us we are healthy, we really don't know when our time will come to an end on this place we call planet Earth. We never know.
Just think about all the times our close friends or loved ones died, and we just saw them yesterday. "Hey I just saw Jim yesterday, looked fine, he said he ran six miles, and saw his wife and daughter and had lunch together, can't believe he died today." We had those moments, we all have, or will sooner or later. So when someone dies because he was brutally murdered by his subordinate, that's really insane, horrific, okay I can't name it any more, any senseless murder is well...senseless!
It was the Holiday season 2000, usually a stressful time for hotel managers, the busy season is upon them, festivities, all of that, but also a happy and joyous time too, especially if you live in Hawaii. I just had to write this blog because well, I just had to. No other reason, well maybe the reason is, when I heard this story on the news nearly twelve years ago, I kinda saw this happening, I've worked in professional kitchens, and it can be stressful, in fact, in the pro kitchens you really get the goofballs of society, the train wrecks, total dysfunctional people behind the scenes. C'mon, tell me what person in his right mind wants to cut veggies for a living, or wash tons of greasy pots and pans, and get yelled at by the kitchen manager, or the chef in charge? I was that guy and I hated it, seriously, kitchen work sucks, plain and simple. Oh yeah, if you love cooking Thanksgiving Turkey that's just one day out of the year my friend, do it 5 or 6 days a week, you really want to.... well read on.
There was this kitchen hand named Tam Van Huynh, he was a cook. Now he probably had things on his mind, like most people. Maybe a woman problem, or a bill collector hounding him, or just pissed at life. All I can gather from this and there's probably a final psychiatrist report done, but I don't have the luxury of acquiring that, even with the internet, forget it, I'll use some Hollywood creativity to make it flow. Tam Van Huynh, tired, burned out, maybe snorted some cocaine, has some friends that don't a give crap about life themselves, Tam is busting tail in a hot sweaty kitchen day in and day out. He just needs a break, he's burnt. He figures he'll take a day off or something, maybe see someone. He is just tired.
Tom Matsuda Executive Chef Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, age 43, worked his way up the ranks, did all the dog eat dog jobs that most culinary school grads bypass. Tom Matsuda earned that title of Exec. Chef, he paid his dues, he earned that right to be called Chef. Some are pretenders, Chef? We don't think so, you gotta earn it bro! That title should go to only a chosen few, like the term master whatever, you earn it, you do not pose it. You bloody earn that title, Tom Matsuda earned it.
Back track to 1998, Tam Van Huynh was suspended by the hotel for an argument with a co-worker, and he was to undergo counseling. Counseling? That is not a pretty order, a pretty order is, "Take some time off with the wife and kids to snow capped Calgary and go snow boarding, relax." Counseling? That's kind of clinical. Anytime you offer counseling to someone, it's not a superficial move, it's pretty deep if you ask me. Deep. As in that dude is wounded in the head, he's scary.
I've worked with people in the kitchen myself, it gets stressful, it gets ugly. I myself had run ins with waiters for dissin me in the kitchen, it's just a stressful place. I wouldn't stab anyone, but when your blood boils, and you have a street mentality, it really is dangerous, and most kitchens, you get a lot of streetwise workers, gamblers, wannabe pimps, drug dealers, all kinds, and the kitchen is not for the weak, you have to be tough to play in the kitchen it is hardball all the way, especially in a hotel like the Sheraton Waikiki, it's all perfection, that plate of Mahi better look éclat, or else....
So in two years this dude Tam Van Huynh who had to get counseling is still a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, something is wrong with his mentality, but he remains in Tom Matsuda's kitchen, his ship, why? Hmm. He had to undergo some anger management. But in the case in the trail, Tam Van was emotional because of the place he left behind, a war ravaged Vietnam, he was a 12 year employee at the hotel. Fellow co-workers claim that he was a loner, sometimes working with a scary blank stare to his demeanor, ice water going through his body.
Tom Matsuda was a family man, no doubt that good old boy done good, one of those guys you looked up to, like your older brother that has all the answers, the guy with the clean cut, never looks at other women the way well, we do.. at times.. Tom Matsuda was a good man, according to reports from friends and family. He was a model employee, a fine son, husband and father, the good ones usually are, fine human beings. Sure Tom was an Executive Chef, and if he had to yell at someone, well that's what chefs do, let me tell you, I had many a time when a chef yelled at me, "Sambrano! Move your (blank) ass! MOVE!" Like I said earlier, it's hard ball, a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, is not a playing field in Triple A guys, when you work in a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, think you're playing in Dodger Stadium, or Yankee Stadium, my friend reading this who has no clue about the pro kitchen, if you are working in a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, you list that on your resume, congratulations, that's one fine piece of your work history, you work, you're a starter at Dodger or Yankee Stadiums, you're in the majors my friend, plain and simple, you are a major leaguer!
It was the Holidays, I can imagine Tom talking to his wife, "Hon, I'll be busy for Christmas, maybe we can do something after New Years, if you have to go and be with your family, go ahead, and have a good time, I'll be fine, we just got a lot of dinners, and functions going on, go ahead babe, I'll be okay, you and the kids, we'll celebrate later, you know every year it's the same thing.. but this job does put food on the table and pays our mortgage." I can just imagine.
Tom is in his office making his schedule for the week, he finds out that probably he'll need extra hands in the kitchen, like he told his wife, it was the holidays, and it's busy. He looks up and down his roster, he looks at the projected dinners that needs to be made, he has to look over the orders, making sure that he's right on the hotel's budget, after all, it isn't his money he's spending, everything an executive chef does, has to do with numbers not just how to make awesome exquisite dinners. So he looks up and down his roster, line cooks check. Prep cooks, check. Pantry, check. Hmmm, maybe keep these guys, yes, keep these guys. Then he posts the schedule, his employees take a look, of course some are disgruntled, maybe cussing, but they figure it's all good, extra pay, another present for the girlfriend, no worries, Chef Matsuda takes care of us, no biggie. Okay, I'll work, what the hell.
As he makes his way to the kitchen to check on his schedule, Tam Van is already in an unstable condition, the ice water in his veins is nearly freezing, his stare almost demon possessive. He walks up to the wall, he looks for his name. He notices his name, and that he is scheduled for a Sunday shift. The ice water in his veins start to rise in temperature, he is becoming very unstable, very emotional, hmmm, a victim of the ravages of war in his home country of Vietnam? I'm just asking, just asking.
In his office Chef Tom Matsuda is probably going over some numbers, calling the executive accountant, telling him that he really needs to order some gourmet scallops, and some extra ahi for sashimi. He has to explain what the prices will be that he'll charge, so that the marketing department and concierges can tell their guests, "Chef Tom has a great Holiday special this Sunday..." As he converses with his colleagues, there's the song White Christmas playing in the background, and then it is I Say Mommy Kissing Santa Clause. All the while, Tam Van is waiting outside of his office, the wall where the schedule is pinned, is the wall of Chef Tom's office.
Tam Van waits.
Chef doesn't come out.
Tam Van walks to the magnetic knife holder, he grabs a knife, a sharp one.
Tam Van waits. He takes a deep breath. Sweat drops down his face.
The door opens, Chef Tom greets Tam Van.
"Hi Tam, how's it going?"
"I'm on for Sunday! Why?!"
"Tam we are busy, I need you to work."
"WHAT THE F... FOR? I CANNOT WORK! I CANNOT I HAVE PLANS!"
"Tam calm down, I'll give you another day off, it's Christmas, you know we are busy, c'mon buddy, I'll get you another day off, make the O.T.."
His hands are sweating, his mouth is wide opened, he grips the knife from behind him, Chef just stands there, and then.... with a quick thrust, Tam Van stabs Chef Tom Matsuda in his stomach, he starts to bleed profusely.... he slowly dies... he stops breathing.
After the stabbling Tam Van walked over to a hotel security officer and muttered, "He changed my schedule, he changed my schedule, he changed my schedule."
This man Tam Van Huynh had a severe case of mental disorder, he was found guilty of murder and sent to prison. At a press conference, Tom Matsuda's son said that they could move forward, but their loss was great, the conviction could not bring Tom back, but justice was served.
All in the professional kitchen, and I myself always said, "This day will come, one of these days this will happen, there's so many unstable workers in the kitchen with all the knives around, it'll happen. So when it did happen, I shook my head, and said, "God take care of Tom's family, and take Tom home.... I seen this day coming, because I've worked with guys like Tam Van Huynh before." Sad... it had to happen, I just seen this day coming.
In court Tam Van Huynh without expression as he listens to his conviction of second degree murder.
Below Warren Matsuda son of Tom Matsuda speaks after the trial. Copyright Honolulu Advertiser
Just think about all the times our close friends or loved ones died, and we just saw them yesterday. "Hey I just saw Jim yesterday, looked fine, he said he ran six miles, and saw his wife and daughter and had lunch together, can't believe he died today." We had those moments, we all have, or will sooner or later. So when someone dies because he was brutally murdered by his subordinate, that's really insane, horrific, okay I can't name it any more, any senseless murder is well...senseless!
It was the Holiday season 2000, usually a stressful time for hotel managers, the busy season is upon them, festivities, all of that, but also a happy and joyous time too, especially if you live in Hawaii. I just had to write this blog because well, I just had to. No other reason, well maybe the reason is, when I heard this story on the news nearly twelve years ago, I kinda saw this happening, I've worked in professional kitchens, and it can be stressful, in fact, in the pro kitchens you really get the goofballs of society, the train wrecks, total dysfunctional people behind the scenes. C'mon, tell me what person in his right mind wants to cut veggies for a living, or wash tons of greasy pots and pans, and get yelled at by the kitchen manager, or the chef in charge? I was that guy and I hated it, seriously, kitchen work sucks, plain and simple. Oh yeah, if you love cooking Thanksgiving Turkey that's just one day out of the year my friend, do it 5 or 6 days a week, you really want to.... well read on.
There was this kitchen hand named Tam Van Huynh, he was a cook. Now he probably had things on his mind, like most people. Maybe a woman problem, or a bill collector hounding him, or just pissed at life. All I can gather from this and there's probably a final psychiatrist report done, but I don't have the luxury of acquiring that, even with the internet, forget it, I'll use some Hollywood creativity to make it flow. Tam Van Huynh, tired, burned out, maybe snorted some cocaine, has some friends that don't a give crap about life themselves, Tam is busting tail in a hot sweaty kitchen day in and day out. He just needs a break, he's burnt. He figures he'll take a day off or something, maybe see someone. He is just tired.
Tom Matsuda Executive Chef Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, age 43, worked his way up the ranks, did all the dog eat dog jobs that most culinary school grads bypass. Tom Matsuda earned that title of Exec. Chef, he paid his dues, he earned that right to be called Chef. Some are pretenders, Chef? We don't think so, you gotta earn it bro! That title should go to only a chosen few, like the term master whatever, you earn it, you do not pose it. You bloody earn that title, Tom Matsuda earned it.
Back track to 1998, Tam Van Huynh was suspended by the hotel for an argument with a co-worker, and he was to undergo counseling. Counseling? That is not a pretty order, a pretty order is, "Take some time off with the wife and kids to snow capped Calgary and go snow boarding, relax." Counseling? That's kind of clinical. Anytime you offer counseling to someone, it's not a superficial move, it's pretty deep if you ask me. Deep. As in that dude is wounded in the head, he's scary.
I've worked with people in the kitchen myself, it gets stressful, it gets ugly. I myself had run ins with waiters for dissin me in the kitchen, it's just a stressful place. I wouldn't stab anyone, but when your blood boils, and you have a street mentality, it really is dangerous, and most kitchens, you get a lot of streetwise workers, gamblers, wannabe pimps, drug dealers, all kinds, and the kitchen is not for the weak, you have to be tough to play in the kitchen it is hardball all the way, especially in a hotel like the Sheraton Waikiki, it's all perfection, that plate of Mahi better look éclat, or else....
So in two years this dude Tam Van Huynh who had to get counseling is still a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, something is wrong with his mentality, but he remains in Tom Matsuda's kitchen, his ship, why? Hmm. He had to undergo some anger management. But in the case in the trail, Tam Van was emotional because of the place he left behind, a war ravaged Vietnam, he was a 12 year employee at the hotel. Fellow co-workers claim that he was a loner, sometimes working with a scary blank stare to his demeanor, ice water going through his body.
Tom Matsuda was a family man, no doubt that good old boy done good, one of those guys you looked up to, like your older brother that has all the answers, the guy with the clean cut, never looks at other women the way well, we do.. at times.. Tom Matsuda was a good man, according to reports from friends and family. He was a model employee, a fine son, husband and father, the good ones usually are, fine human beings. Sure Tom was an Executive Chef, and if he had to yell at someone, well that's what chefs do, let me tell you, I had many a time when a chef yelled at me, "Sambrano! Move your (blank) ass! MOVE!" Like I said earlier, it's hard ball, a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, is not a playing field in Triple A guys, when you work in a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, think you're playing in Dodger Stadium, or Yankee Stadium, my friend reading this who has no clue about the pro kitchen, if you are working in a Sheraton Hotel's kitchen, you list that on your resume, congratulations, that's one fine piece of your work history, you work, you're a starter at Dodger or Yankee Stadiums, you're in the majors my friend, plain and simple, you are a major leaguer!
It was the Holidays, I can imagine Tom talking to his wife, "Hon, I'll be busy for Christmas, maybe we can do something after New Years, if you have to go and be with your family, go ahead, and have a good time, I'll be fine, we just got a lot of dinners, and functions going on, go ahead babe, I'll be okay, you and the kids, we'll celebrate later, you know every year it's the same thing.. but this job does put food on the table and pays our mortgage." I can just imagine.
Tom is in his office making his schedule for the week, he finds out that probably he'll need extra hands in the kitchen, like he told his wife, it was the holidays, and it's busy. He looks up and down his roster, he looks at the projected dinners that needs to be made, he has to look over the orders, making sure that he's right on the hotel's budget, after all, it isn't his money he's spending, everything an executive chef does, has to do with numbers not just how to make awesome exquisite dinners. So he looks up and down his roster, line cooks check. Prep cooks, check. Pantry, check. Hmmm, maybe keep these guys, yes, keep these guys. Then he posts the schedule, his employees take a look, of course some are disgruntled, maybe cussing, but they figure it's all good, extra pay, another present for the girlfriend, no worries, Chef Matsuda takes care of us, no biggie. Okay, I'll work, what the hell.
As he makes his way to the kitchen to check on his schedule, Tam Van is already in an unstable condition, the ice water in his veins is nearly freezing, his stare almost demon possessive. He walks up to the wall, he looks for his name. He notices his name, and that he is scheduled for a Sunday shift. The ice water in his veins start to rise in temperature, he is becoming very unstable, very emotional, hmmm, a victim of the ravages of war in his home country of Vietnam? I'm just asking, just asking.
In his office Chef Tom Matsuda is probably going over some numbers, calling the executive accountant, telling him that he really needs to order some gourmet scallops, and some extra ahi for sashimi. He has to explain what the prices will be that he'll charge, so that the marketing department and concierges can tell their guests, "Chef Tom has a great Holiday special this Sunday..." As he converses with his colleagues, there's the song White Christmas playing in the background, and then it is I Say Mommy Kissing Santa Clause. All the while, Tam Van is waiting outside of his office, the wall where the schedule is pinned, is the wall of Chef Tom's office.
Tam Van waits.
Chef doesn't come out.
Tam Van walks to the magnetic knife holder, he grabs a knife, a sharp one.
Tam Van waits. He takes a deep breath. Sweat drops down his face.
The door opens, Chef Tom greets Tam Van.
"Hi Tam, how's it going?"
"I'm on for Sunday! Why?!"
"Tam we are busy, I need you to work."
"WHAT THE F... FOR? I CANNOT WORK! I CANNOT I HAVE PLANS!"
"Tam calm down, I'll give you another day off, it's Christmas, you know we are busy, c'mon buddy, I'll get you another day off, make the O.T.."
His hands are sweating, his mouth is wide opened, he grips the knife from behind him, Chef just stands there, and then.... with a quick thrust, Tam Van stabs Chef Tom Matsuda in his stomach, he starts to bleed profusely.... he slowly dies... he stops breathing.
After the stabbling Tam Van walked over to a hotel security officer and muttered, "He changed my schedule, he changed my schedule, he changed my schedule."
This man Tam Van Huynh had a severe case of mental disorder, he was found guilty of murder and sent to prison. At a press conference, Tom Matsuda's son said that they could move forward, but their loss was great, the conviction could not bring Tom back, but justice was served.
All in the professional kitchen, and I myself always said, "This day will come, one of these days this will happen, there's so many unstable workers in the kitchen with all the knives around, it'll happen. So when it did happen, I shook my head, and said, "God take care of Tom's family, and take Tom home.... I seen this day coming, because I've worked with guys like Tam Van Huynh before." Sad... it had to happen, I just seen this day coming.
In court Tam Van Huynh without expression as he listens to his conviction of second degree murder.
Below Warren Matsuda son of Tom Matsuda speaks after the trial. Copyright Honolulu Advertiser
No comments:
Post a Comment