[golder]

Is there such a regulation, stating that cooks must not step out for a smoke?

The letter from the health department suggested not smoking. If you do smoke, and it must be out doors, you must wash before returning to work. I was standing in the back door smoking as always. It should be obvious, this had little to do with public health. For the record, my refrigerated square footage, exceeded the dining room square footage. This restaurant was very clean, it was the love of my life. Damn these people.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Yes, it's bizarre. I suppose some undercover agent saw you smoking and then not washing your hands. Many years ago, when I was in school, one of my Chinese fellows told us that if any paying customer could see what's going on in a Chinese food kitchen they would probably give up eating Chinese food for life...