Lost..on the lunatic fringe...

I need some help here..It would seem that I have worn out all of my practical jokes that I routinely play on my staff! The age old vinegar/Siracha/Worschestershire in soft drinks has become old hat. I can't send staff out for "buckets of steam" or to find my "long stand" and they no longer leave their keys/clothing laying around to be frozen overnight.........what's a chef to do?? In my day, I have placed old fish in peoples cars, put raw oysters and chick peas in their pockets, dumped pot washing detergent in the dish machine (makes a great bubbling mass of anarchy), and mixed raw eggs in with the hard boiled ones just to see the look on their face when they crack it open....Any new ideas?? Anyone that can come up with a good practical joke (that I haven't already pulled off) will get a free dinner on me at Carly Rae's!! (note: I have launched vegetables off of my roof with a three man slingshot....give me you're best!!) Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!-Dave

I was going to suggest mixing the uncooked eggs in with the hard boiled ones what you've already done that. The only other trick I pulled on some one was to slide a strip of plastic into a piece of meat they were going to cut (I put a little pocket into it from the side by plunging a knife in). You should see the look on their face when their knife (finely sharpened) won't cut through a piece of raw meat!

I always got great pleasure out of watching the newbies try to empty all of the water out of the coffeemakers at the end of the night. Some would actually draw off 7-8 carafes of water before they figured it out.

I really loved this topic when it was alive way back when. I used to date a guy that worked at a camp and they pulled some great pranks, including tethering a goat to the receptionist's desk in the middle of the night.

A really dorky thing I've always gotten a kick out is: put a full sheet pan behind the host stand and fill it full of water. Those pans are always buckled and wabbly. Then watch the host try to walk away with the pan without pouring the water everywhere. Dorky for sure.

I worked at a place where, if someone left a soft drink sitting around, a prankster would run a cut hot pepper around the rim of the glass. The victim would take a drink, his mouth would be on fire, and he'd take another drink to put the fire out.

Of course, I can't recommend doing this, because I could see blistered lips and a lawsuit.

We had plastic plants at a few places and told the new staff members that the plants get watered on M-W-F nights.

Then we sent them to the basement to get the watering can (No basement)

I always got great pleasure out of watching the newbies try to empty all of the water out of the coffeemakers at the end of the night. Some would actually draw off 7-8 carafes of water before they figured it out.

Some one did this to a new recruit just the other day- I had never heard of it before.
I felt badly for a brief monent about laughing so hard.

Tomorrow should be interesting...I'm watching you Clancy...

Clancy, If you have this coming Monday off, then we would love to have you come to the BLT challenge at the BBC Taproom on Main St.

If you want to participate that would be great but we would definitely welcome your presence as a spectator!!!

I have fallen for a couple of really gross pranks--

My co-workers saved me a brownie since I came in later than everyone else. The brownie consisted of wet espresso grounds and whipped cream. I just thought it had Orea crumbles in it, I guess.

This one was really gross and I was not happy. The pastry chef came out of the kitchen and said that he had made a pumpkin cheesecake and wanted everyone to try it. I had never tasted pumpkin anything so I decided to dig it. It was a pretty presentation with crust, whipped cream, and a chocolate drizzle. Turns out the filling was short rib grease. Another poor server boxed some up for her mother-in-law who loves pumpkin cheesecake because she had no idea--I finally had to tell her.

Tomorrow should be interesting...I'm watching you Clancy...

Too late.......! (bring extra shoes today)

Cant see it working in a commercial kitchen, but on occasion I will put a rubber band around the pull out spray hose on the kitchen sink so when you turn on the sink someone will get sprayed by the hose.

I do remember some of the chefs at school sending a particularly annoying student around to all the lab kitchens looking for a "can of steam" or a "left handed knife."

Cant see it working in a commercial kitchen, but on occasion I will put a rubber band around the pull out spray hose on the kitchen sink so when you turn on the sink someone will get sprayed by the hose.

I used to do that one almost daily, and it's even more effective if you coat the handle with corn syrup too!! (bonus points..)

Clancy, If you have this coming Monday off, then we would love to have you come to the BLT challenge at the BBC Taproom on Main St.

If you want to participate that would be great but we would definitely welcome your presence as a spectator!!!

What time Dan?? I only come in to order on Monday and would love to attend. (for the record, Niman Ranch get's my vote for best bacon ever!!)