["I got promoted to a line cook and it couldn't have gone smoother.", "Congratulations! That's a very good job. What kind of food do you prepare?", "It's a Mexican restaurant but they also serve fast food type stuff there too.  It's' a very complex menu, it's a lot to prepare.", 'Well they must think a lot of your abilities to promote you like that. I love Mexican food, btw :)', "I've had some time to observe how the folks in the kitchen cook and prep. Also there was a new manager and she allowed me to start helping more.", 'I love it when managers actually pay attention. Makes the job so much easier and more pleasant. Good for you.', 'Thanks. I have had a very strict manager before and she seemed a little stiff and reluctant to let me do anything but prep food and not cook. It was frustrating, just watching but also being paid and feel like i was cheating them.']
No, it wasn't you, obviously. Your previous manager sounds like a control freak!
When I had a new position at work and knew what I had to do from watching, observing and studying what I needed to know about it.