Yeah…
Late nights, burnt hands, tired eyes
If you in the kitchen, this for you
Kanzo… Chef Alex…
Let’s go.
Clock in early, leave when the sun gone
Cuts on my fingers, still throw the gloves on
Started in the pit, nobody cared then
Dreams on my back while I’m scrubbing pans in
Heard “yes chef” before I heard “I’m proud”
Heat on my neck, tickets yelling loud
Everybody think this shit just looks fly
They don’t see the pain when the fryer screams high
Missed birthdays, missed calls from my phone
Family dinners eating staff meal alone
Every plate gotta prove who I am
Every service feel like make it or slam
They see the title, never saw the climb
Never saw the nights I was losing my mind
But pressure make diamonds, that’s facts
Same heat that break you bring the hunger back
Learn to walk before you try to run
Every scar proof I ain’t done
Slow steps still get you there
Even when it feel unfair
Learn to walk, yeah take that pace
You don’t earn stars, you earn your place
From the dish pit to the flame
Small steps still win the game
Knife skills shaky, hands still green
Old head yelling “watch your mise!”
Fucked up plates, yeah I paid that tax
Every L just added to the craft
Burnt sauces, overcooked dreams
Crying in the walk-in, silent screams
Smile on my face when the guests walk by
But my body hurt and my soul feel fried
They say “why you do it if it’s this hard?”
‘Cause purpose hit different than a paycheck card
When a plate come back clean, no words said
That moment feed me more than bread
I seen good cooks quit, strong ones snap
Seen talent fold from the weight of that cap
This life don’t love you, it test your spine
Ask if you built for the pressure and time
Learn to walk before you try to run
Every scar proof I ain’t done
Slow steps still get you there
Even when it feel unfair
Learn to walk, yeah take that pace
You don’t earn stars, you earn your place
From the dish pit to the flame
Small steps still win the game
Cherish every step, every burn, every night
Every “not yet” that sharpened the knife
If you rushing the crown, you gon’ lose your feet
Greatness slow-cooked, low heat
Now I teach what I learned in the fire
Tell the new kid “patience build desire”
Ain’t no shortcuts in this game we in
Only reps, sweat, discipline
Still chasing better than yesterday
Still fucking up, just smarter ways
Still hungry even when I eat
Still humble when they say “elite”
This for the cooks who feel unseen
For the ones still stuck between
Giving up or giving more
One more service… one more door
Outro / Hook (half-time)
Learn to walk…
Before you try to run…
If you still standing, you already won
Yeah…
From the pit to the pass
From the burns to the stars
We here.
kanzo
