If you’ve worked in a kitchen you know at least one simple truth: Dishwashers Rule. Washing the dishes is only a part of what they do to keep kitchens running smoothly. Need extra prep? Dishwasher. Need sauté pans? Dishwasher.
Inspired by the tireless dedication of these hardworking ladies and gentlemen, we put it to you, Poached readers, to nominate your restaurant’s dishwashers. The results are in and here are a few favorites:
Maryam Halimah
Maryam Halimah is the backbone of the kitchen at Whole Foods Market in Portland, OR. With focus, speed, and a great attitude, she can get through any tower of dishes no matter how high they might be without breaking a sweat. She can run circles around the guys in the kitchen and has a great and focused work ethic.
Tetiana
Petite Provence in Portland, OR has a jack of all trades with Tetiana. She manages to keep it all together while those around her are in full stress mode. Not only does she do dishes, but she jumps in wherever she’s needed. Tetiana does chopping, peeling and other prep work, mops the kitchen, and busses tables. Tetiana’s hard work and great attitude keeps Petite Provence running smoothly.
Ibrahim Mansour
After the first week working at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, both Ibrahim Mansour’s peers and managers noticed that the dish pits looked better than ever. This was even amid the chaos of the two week South by Southwest event happening in Austin. Ibrahim hit the ground running during this time, proving himself a valuable member of the stewarding team. Five months later, Ibrahim continues to pay special attention to detail while maintaining a high level of enthusiasm and a great attitude.
Arturo Corres
Arturo Corres has been working at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California for the past 22 years. While he joined the team as an entry level dishwasher, in a few years his outstanding performance and high standards for cleanliness allowed him to be promoted to Dishwashing Supervisor. Not only is he the Dishwashing Supervisor, but he’s been known to jump in where he’s needed in the kitchen, even if he has to join the line to plate a dinner for over 750 people. 22 years later and Arturo’s still your man to get any job done.
Elmer Cime, Miguel Ramirez, Kevin Roberts
The staff at Nostrana got together to nominate their entry into the Best Dishwasher in America competition, and found that they had nominated a team: Elmer Cime, Miguel Ramirez, and Kevin Roberts. As a team, they’ve proven indispensable, completing any task they’re presented with. Elmer, the storemaster, organizes and maintains the storage facilities in the restaurant. His dedication to maintaining the restaurant and treating it like his home shows how much he loves what he does. Kevin is the woodsman and champions the entire wood program that makes Nostrana’s cuisine possible. Miguel, the captain, is always quick to lend a helping hand and is always ready for a laugh. Together, the trio makes an excellent team that keeps the other staff upbeat, helping them get through the toughest of nights and always providing a smile.
And now, The Best Dishwasher 2014!
Moises Avilla
Cooking schools go through thousands of dishes in a single day and the San Francisco Cooking School has the guy to keep it all together. Meet 2014’s Best Dishwasher in America: Moises Avilla.
Moises, or The Boss, as they refer to him at the San Francisco Cooking School, is always upbeat. Every six months, when new culinary students enter, it’s Moises who sets them at ease with a smile and a hello. Leave it to Moises to learn every student’s name. Nothing ever seems to faze him at work:
“He is the one-man show that keeps this place humming. Bowls and beaters covered in buttercream from our Pastry Program? No problem. Scorched pans from our revolving door of recreational students? No problem. Oil spill in one kitchen…a crash of a wine glass during our Friday night wine classes? Not even a blink of an eye.”
If that wasn’t enough, as soon as he gets home, he straps on a pair of running shoes. Everything that happens at the San Francisco Cooking School would be a lot more difficult if it wasn’t for Moises Avilla, and because of this, he really is the 2014 Best Dishwasher in America.