Ok I feel some things need to be cleared up here.
First off, my question stemmed from something feeling off with my current job and my role.
I've always contributed at every place I've been because I love what I do.
I always took it as a challenge to prove to my chefs that I can do whatever they throw at me and also do my part to create or improve.
I don't understand the "insecure" suggestions.
My confusion on whether or not I wanna leave behind a detailed how to once I'm gone has nothing to do with insecurity.
Why would I feel that way about items that have become signature menu items?
I just don't feel too fondly about the owner.
If creating is so easy (which it is) then why don't all cooks do so?
Cooks who don't create are insecure.
I did a dessert menu awhile back because my chefs didn't "like" pastries. I was a prep cook at the time and I ended up with my name in a magazine and a dessert menu that people really enjoyed. I did it because it's FUN! Because I love my work and it's how I get better. Finally, I'm not seeking compensation directly for a recipe. I'm just in a place now where I am trying to look out for my best interest.
If you think that some owners don't try to exploit those who do this just for the "love" of the game then that's naive.
I'm glad I brought this up, as I said earlier I don't think I'm at a place where I want to help and I will fix that real soon.
I've never experienced this before and I appreciate the responses.
One last thing, I do this because I enjoy it, because I belong in the kitchen, it's all I've got and I hit it hard every day because I know it's all I've got. This is my life, there's no reason I shouldn't seek a suitable wage for it.
Thanks for helping out fam, all your replies are much appreciated.
You basically answered yourself.
Think about it this way: even if you dont like the place or whatever about it that you dont want to contribute, do it for your own sake.
You push yourself and its going to be you who benefits.
Ideas are coming from inspiration, inspiration might come from that dirty bastard you work with and hate
It is all over. I think every place can give you something back.
For example, I worked in one shitehole once, needed money when baby was on her way.
So there are burgers on the menu. They serve frozen stuff, of course.
Even though it comes ready shaped they managed somehow to run out.
One day we had leftover ribeye joint, so I minced it, blended meat mixture and shaped some burgers.
Next day Im coming, and theres my burgers for staff meal and the frozen shite in the fridge.
I was so sick of that frozen pile of crap, that I wanted it out the menu. The next menu I supposed to make. So I did.
First day we served the menu comes one idiott waiter and cries that a customer came all the way from Canada and is unsatisfied that this shitehole have no longer freaking frozen dry shite on the menu.
You can see the pics of the items in my picture thread, this was winter bar menu, sous chef [which happened to be an idiott with 7 months experience from restaurant joint] said about it "The flavours are there but theres no colour"
I will never forget that.
I left but the menu and recipes are there. Noone can make it anyway.
Oh yeah for the warm rice pudding with cherries and cherry-kirsch sorbet the ice cream machine got broken but nobody cared for 5 months, even though me moaning.