I avoided restaurants after a disastrous job as a waitress. Then I watched The Bear …

Working in a high-end restaurant was stressful and scarring.

It took an accidental encounter with the TV show to help me heal – and change my attitude towards work Eight years ago, I was working as a waitress in a fine dining restaurant in the Cotswolds.

The expertly crafted atmosphere had dim mood lighting, ambient music and a farm-to-table menu.

I hated it.

The other waiters could charm guests into purchasing expensive bottles, but I just gaped gormlessly when I struggled to recall the wine pairings.

My brown leather brogues gave me blisters as I’d hobble to the kitchen to admit I’d forgotten an order in the middle of a busy dinner service.

The chefs would shout and shake the ticket in my face.

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