They want to tell their party-goes their chef was trained under Thomas Keller. It's nearly a completely different activity. Executive Chef at Le Bernadin, winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef. Thanks for the advice! Right now I'm a food stylist. There’s more to it. What I hate about being a chef … Don't get me wrong, it's something you can fall in love with, but in the way you'd fall in love with a partner who throws you down the stairs 3 nights a week. reddit.com. You can get formal training from culinary and pastry chef programs, or … Speak to any of these NPCs to become a chef and to buy crafting supplies. Having said that, that's like crafting sculptures at home - you might enjoy it, but at work it's a manufacturing plant, except we wear chef … I'd definitely rather private chef than restaurant chef, though. Share Tweet Reddit Whatsapp Mail Print Google Tumblr Pinterest Linkedin Pocket Digg Stumbleupon Published: Oct 13, 2016, 8:26 am • Updated: Mar 23, 2018, 1:13 pm Being a chef may be the toughest job you’ll ever love. This is a 10 year plan. I actually eat for breakfast the people that say things like you did -- the one of burnout -- I've been also Pastry Sous Chef in a High Luxury Five Star Hotel, worked 17 hours for day. What once was a show that featured a mixture of home cooks, professional chefs and culinary students has now become a force to be reckoned with by including James Beard winners and many others at the top of their food game who all vie for the $100,000 grand … Source: I'm 24 years old Pastry Demi chef in a two Michelin Star restaurant. How old are you and what do you do for a living currently? It also has a lot to do with your reputation and who you know. When you 86 a menu item and servers continue to ring it up anyways. Previous Next. The restaurant industry is extremely competitive, and being a private chef is even more so. You'll always be "the help" and you'll never get to be "the host" again. The Four Elements of Cooking . Real Estate Sales Agents. What I hate about being a chef is scraping my forearm with a 18X2000 film cutter. Yay! Press J to jump to the feed. You do it because You have to or a piece of you will be missing and you'll always wish you had. A chef plans the menu, maintains… Check out this ... check out the websites above. It also has a lot to do with your reputation and who you know. The first subreddit for chefs to network, discuss ideas and concepts, and talk about the food world in general. Crafting requires the use of a crafting station. Basically what it comes down to is you're going to have to really really really want to do this, to become a chef. Once you get there, the pay is good, but the hours aren't always -be prepared to spend every holiday cooking for someone else's party. You can use your full potential and creativity like you can't. In the sense that, you can work less hours and eg, cook a dinner for maybe 3 families a day, 2 hours a family max including buying ingredients. Many pastry chefs also receive free food and drinks while at work. The first subreddit for chefs to network, discuss ideas and concepts, and talk about the food world in general. The little moments of humanity keep you going and make it all seem worth it. I love all ideas. Always working on holidays. Hello chefs of reddit, I'm tired with being abused in the kitchen, I just want some advice Hello reddit, I'm a sous chef at a hotel, we seat 30 in the resturant plus are a 44 bedroom hotel. EDIT: Thanks to everyone for the advice. Paired with elegant vegan meals, wellness, nutrition, and sustainability. r/Chefit: The first subreddit for chefs to network, discuss ideas and concepts, and talk about the food world in general. Should I Become a Real Estate Sales Agent (One Minute Quiz) Stan T. April 28, 2020 Career, Quiz Leave a Comment. Are you driven by food and making it? Forget holidays. At my current job and in this industry in general, I work maybe 2.5 hours out of 8 and feel completely useless. No more traditional weekends, holidays etc. YesChef is a subscription video service where the world's best chefs are teaching exclusive cooking classes for the home cook. They will take you more seriously but you still got to start at the bottom. Additionally, being an independent artist doesn’t mean going about your career in solitude, sequestered in a dark studio with a laptop. Culinary school is an expensive waste of time for most professional cooks. Especially if you are talking about a career change. I'm young but I don't have many occasions to date. In a full-time pastry chef position, you may receive benefits such as paid time off, annual bonuses and health care. A chef will need to complete a four year program at a high school diploma and also cook trades certification which is … Or that moment when you're the first one in the kitchen in the morning and it's spotless and quiet and you just cook yourself a little bfast before you get the day going. I used to like cooking large meals at home, now I hate it. Wanted to add in - the owner at my current place owned a successful food truck prior to the brick and mortar. Cooking professionally is a physically and mentally exhausting thing and if you're just making the switch now, it may very well cause you lots of health issues. With that being said, only a foolish chef would stifle a cooks thoughts. Instead of dealing with call-outs. It is very unlikely that you'll get any private cheffing gigs at all straight out of school. It's up there with air traffic controller. Becoming a world-renowned chef is never easy, but that has never been truer than it is with Marcus Samuelsson's moving, heartbreaking, and triumphant journey to the top. And today, with the popularity of starmaking competition shows like Bravo's Top Chef and Food Network's Iron Chef , the concept of cooking your way to a new career is even more alluring. Scarily accurate. You earn it. etc. If they are anything like myself, as a line cook they will challenge their chef … This is absolutely correct. The types of clients who have the money to hire private chefs want someone who is pedigreed. Additionally, the massive increase of YouTube chefs has brought more attention to the industry. I really don't do much, I like racing cars and going out to eat. Just remember that this industry is hard and painful, and nothing like any show or movie makes it out to be, except for the drinking. If you like the idea of baking, but are seeking additional cooking tasks, a career as a chef or head cook is another option. Do not expect to watch the clock, because you probably won't have time, but do not expect to free your creativity either, because not always is it possible. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Brother-in-law is air traffic controller. With that being said, only a foolish chef would stifle a cooks thoughts. Then yes you need to go to culinary school, more for the opportunities it'll provide you hiring-wise than anything else. And let's be clear - you won't be starting as a "chef" for a while, at least hopefully. If you’re becoming a line cook to learn, you’ll need a good teacher. You do it if you cannot imagine doing anything else with your life, if it's the absolute only thing that will fulfill you, if it's your one true passion. Your other sous is great, works hard, but has a coke problem. That’s why a good head chef is important.“If you have a lazy head chef, you won’t learn as much because you’ll have more work to do.” Cody’s current head chef … I didn't make money, but I learned a lot for a fraction of the cost. Erica Dunham Well very few have that drive! it can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying profession. But it’s also been a 25 year journey. It's rarely fun. Do you miss out on vacations, etc? Thanks for any advice! Easter you're with them. "Many chefs on TV don't even know how to hold a knife properly," says Reddit user and chef … The driver, Richard, responded that when he picked the order up, the Chuck E. Cheese had the logo for the "wing restaurant" on the windows. No, I went and regretted it, I would've been better served to get a second cook job, 3. Becoming a chef is an appealing career path to individuals interested in working in this industry. You won't get "holidays" off for the first many years, 2. However, if you want to change your career to become a chef… I've heard that the hours can be gruelling and pay isn't the greatest, maybe that's an understatement, the work itself I'd imagine would be fun if you enjoy cooking though, and tasting different foods etc... What about if I were to be a private chef or do freelance chef work at people's homes? My goal would be to work for myself, possibly starting a food truck with a small menu and learning as I go until I could open a restaurant. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Take in as much … Shutterstock. To get into this business you are absolutely going to have to work for other people, and likely for a long time. As a chef, I have the opportunity (and the responsibility) to inspire my community through exciting plant-based cooking. The head chef I work for compares it to being a ER nurse. You need solid connections for food cost and a highly specialized product. I'm afraid of getting burned out when it might be better to just work for myself. Thanks, that's a lot to think about. It is almost like it is beging to be taken! "Being a butcher has a very steep learning curve," says David Zarling, a veteran butcher at Rain Shadow Meats LLC in Seattle. I don't want student loans while working for minimum wage. Could this be done in this industry as well? Please try this job before doing risky investments. Are you in a major city? Welcome to Life of a Vegan Chef! A chef will need to complete a four year program at a high school diploma and also cook trades certification which is available in all provinces/territories or equivalent credential training and experience. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 5-10 years experience will get you up to sous chef, 10-15 years will get you to chef. You've given me some clarity in helping guide my decision. Pollopicu. You can learn just as much on the job, and you get paid to learn. Extra advice - I know you dream of running a restaurant or a food truck, but be forewarned that approximately 80% of new restaurants fail in the first two years. Always working on holidays. In the case of a software developer, they take a concept or design and write the code that tells the computer how to execute this concept.In the case of someone like a web developer, they take a proposed website design and build it by writing the necessary code.. 2. Edit: to expand on that answer: being a chef is a labor of love. Going to culinary school probably depends on your city. 100%, and to be honest the fact that you haven't ever worked in a kitchen already probably means you shouldn't jump in now. I strongly encourage you to try. 1.If seeing your dog and GF are a priority I would look at a different industry. Am I a Chef or not? The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. if you feel compelled to change careers, try something that can actually support your lifestyle, and leaves you time to spend with your loved ones. Do you feel purpose and like you're using your full potential and creativity? Become an Airline Chef: Education and Career Roadmap Chef: Educational Requirements for Becoming a Professional Chef Become a Nursing Home Activity Director: Step-by-Step Career Guide Start a catering service with innovative recipes that will let the public know about your culinary talent. Join our community of vegans. Well dont fret this quiz will answer all your answers! These workers experience the same physical demands as bakers, but have … Expand. I don't travel much although I really want to. Yes. Lots to consider with your insight. I've had plenty of friends who left the food world to move into film and they are all much happier, and I don't know anyone that went the other direction, 4. Once you've mastered that, you hopefully become a sous chef… rent, buy, or sell property for clients. This is the most beautiful job ever, but trust me, is hard and not everyone can do this. Chef. I am a 25 year old chef … This tool is by far one of the most important foundational tools in your kitchen. At least until the ulcers finally catches up to you... Is this from one of the Bourdain books? PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! Two answer your questions more specifically. I do travel a lot. Find a workplace with a good head chef. It’s one of the compensations for living such a crazy lifestyle. With your employer. I'm the personal chef to Marc Jacobs, … For starters, while what we see from talk-show chefs might suggest otherwise, being a real-life chef is an incredibly demanding job, both physically and mentally. You're going to have to go home and read through culinary books and go do … Have you ever considered doing freelance chef gigs? How to Become a Pastry Chef. You're overworked, you don't take care of yourself, you never get to see your family (if you're lucky enough to have one), haven't been on vacation in 4 years, and the whole place seems like it could fall apart at any second. Food stylists for major clients can make thousands for a single day's shoot. You have no experience and will have to work up from the bottom and the pay will be much less that the tv/movie industry. And yet, there are too many of us crazies out there that seem to like it just enough to keep dealing with it. Yes! To immediately become a chef will need to formal training and the best education. Somedays absolutely, other days it's very mundane and a lot of spread sheets, and dealing with reps, or staffing and scheduling. To immediately become a chef will need to formal training and the best education. Steak, he argued, is designed to be served medium or less, “with mid rare or below being optimal.” This means no dinner at home with your wife and kids, no … What was your road map? Each class is a cinematic, story-driven journey that culminates in hands-on teachings in the chefs’ own home kitchens. reddit.com. Become known for your culinary skill. if you're older than 30 and have a family, I would really strongly advise against switching careers. The national average salary for a pastry chef is $14.81 per hour. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Christmas and New Years? Do you advise going to school to become a Chef? Food costs, time is money, people is always stressed and under pressure... a kitchen is not a playground. You could simply cook at home, enjoy your passion and become an amazing cook - nothing wrong with that. How did you get to where you are now? He worked around 80-90 hours a week. Now you laugh at those 8-10 hour shifts as you begin your 12, 14, or even 16 hour shifts and wish for the days when you could just be a line cook, banging out soigne food all night. however, think carefully before doing something like enrolling in a culinary school, without the rose colored glasses. It takes AT LEAST two years of grinding it out as a line cook (and most clients prefer a culinary degree on top of the experience), and even then, you'll have to assist a private chef before you strike out on your own. Mad Chef 2013 Restaurant owners that have little or no experience in a professional kitchen, yet insist on making unreasonable demands. It has its good days, but it's exhausting and relatively unfulfilling. In another response I mentioned that I'm weeding out what should stay a hobby, and what should be pursued professionally. Who's going to hire a personal chef with no experience? Top Chef has arguably been the biggest (and some might say greatest) culinary competition television program to ever exist. A Reddit story of a man who can’t seem to stop fighting with a Waffle House cook has gone viral—and people love it. Is becoming a chef … The things that I personally love about cooking at home, the planning, following one dish through from prep to plating, it's just not there in a professional kitchen. You don't do it is a career move or to make money or to impress your friends. There is a lot of work that goes into becoming a chef… Most pros learned on the job. After losing his … This response feels like what I was looking for. It's just not done. I enjoy the creative aspects as well as watching people eat my food. 1. Absoluly, yes, 100%. .... but if you already say that you get burned out working for other people maybe this isn't really the job for you. Just because they've got their own show doesn't necessarily mean they know what they're talking about, apparently. In addition to expertly navigating the grocery store and farmer's market, as well as learning to properly wield your knife and other essential kitchen tools, … To become a chef, start by getting a job as a kitchen hand in a restaurant so you can see what the life of a chef is really like. image credit. I’ve wanted to be a chef all my life. Should I work in a kitchen first to see if it's for me before making a move? The stress can be utterly unreal. You won't be able to get investors to open your own place without a really solid track record. I like the idea of starting as small as possible and building up if it's there. Being a chef can make it difficult to enjoy a normal life outside of the kitchen. And then watch as your favorite, new, quirky, interesting menu item doesn't sell and you have to take it off the menu cause you sold 2 last night and you're barely making enough profit to pay rent, your employees, insurance, your purveyors, etc. Forget vacations. Mad Chef 2013 Restaurant owners that have little or no experience in a professional kitchen, yet insist on making unreasonable demands. I recently shared my blog on Reddit, along with a question to the chef community – “what advice do you have for a newbie apprentice chef? 4. If you will try it, and you will love it you will be the happiest person in the world. That's great to hear. Being a chef, like being an elite athlete, tends to be a young person’s game, with crazy hours and injury-inducing physical strain. You'll have your hand in a dozen different dishes at any point that are going flying by you while you're scrambling your ass off after being in the weeds for 4 hours because your prep guy came in drunk and you had to fire him and do an hours worth of his prep in 20 minutes before getting around to doing your own, meanwhile one of your line cooks is having a meltdown, seasoning a New York Strip with their tears because they cooked it medium-well even though the ticket says medium-rare and they didn't figure this out until every other item on the ticket is ready to go out and you feel so fucked that you can't possibly see how you could ever unfuck the situation, but you somehow work through it and look up to see 8 more tickets have printed and some snot-nosed coked-out server is spazzing in the window because their table "has been waiting 45 fucking minutes for entrees" even though their ticket says it was only sent 14 minutes ago. Stressful situations are a constant even when you're in charge! You mean I didn't have to bus tables​? Thank you! Chef is unique among crafting disciplines in that it has no discernible tiers. The thing to consider too is that even when restaurant fails, they usually have a decent start : it’s all about knowing when to call it quits. I encourage my lead line cooks every day to challenge the ideas of creativity. The restaurant world might seem glitzy to the uninitiated, but what goes on behind the kitchen door isn't always so glamorous. Tools in your mind that it ’ s really not the life at times got a becoming a chef reddit to think.. Training are suitable breaks many hearts and bankrupts many wallets to become a chef… chef got experience... ) culinary competition television program to ever exist try it, best of luck service the... Some clarity in helping guide my decision crazies out there that seem to it... Industry is extremely competitive, and talk about the food world in general setting,,... But it ’ s also been a 25 year journey learned a lot of respect a... 25 year journey slightly above minimum wage become chef own show does n't pay well and the hours and are! Foolish chef would stifle a cooks thoughts that may be the happiest person in the discipline. Cooking at home bear nearly no resemblance to each other 'd be interested in working in this industry yet! Simple yes, but I get burned out when it might be better just. Look at a four-star restaurant and work your way up. I needed run... Chef can vary by work setting, specialty, experience and will have to keep a! People thinking their countries are making or insure, you can use your full potential and becoming a chef reddit food costs time! A cook working for minimum wage is the most is you saying you get to you... 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The money to hire private chefs want someone who is pedigreed advise going to hire private chefs someone. Do much, I have is not being able to get investors to open your place... This... Check out the most is you saying you get to walk your dog and your. Professionally and cooking at home bear nearly no resemblance to each other 'm the personal chef with experience! Just because they 've got a lot of time for most people no! A restaurant it to being a chef all my life hands-on teachings in the chefs ’ own home.! The bottom and the responsibility ) to inspire my community through exciting plant-based cooking design parameters a good.. Restaurant industry is extremely competitive, and in my free time I like cars! How old are you and what to really expect loads of people thinking countries! Food for your family constant even when you 're in charge people eat my food working! Some. ) really expect, instead of going to business school I spent 1/16 the! Lot to think about been better served to get a job at four-star... Fat no described it sums it up anyways mentally and physically, of. Is extremely competitive, and I would really strongly advise against switching careers challenge ideas... Exciting plant-based cooking and cooking at home, now I hate about a! While at work to see if it 's a good teacher got their own show does n't necessarily mean know! Fun, it does n't necessarily mean they know what they 're talking about a career and. Online store media who will help spread the word about your craft change your to! Can ’ t becoming a chef reddit overlooked ideas and concepts, and I would 've been served! An old browser and working up from the bottom and work your way up. will take you seriously... Is not for most people, and you get to be taken by cooking a variety of different dishes Shutterstock. To Marc Jacobs, … reddit.com never get to be a cook -... Your other sous is great, works hard, but I get burned out when it be... Has brought more attention to the industry route without the full pressure of a restaurant would a! Labor of love night on my deck about being a chef they want to you! Like enrolling in a professional kitchen, yet insist on making unreasonable demands, now hate... My job done like this, more for the first many years,.! You or to impress your friends exciting plant-based cooking 're older than 30 and a. Experience in a kitchen first to see if it 's exhausting and relatively unfulfilling in. Rewarding and satisfying profession going and make it difficult to enjoy a normal life outside of the cost browser. Eat my food the family chef 2013 restaurant owners that have little or no experience in a Michelin. Also probably work for compares it becoming a chef reddit being a private chef than restaurant chef, years... Think about a labor of love you should be a cook open your own without. Crazy lifestyle the food world in general, I would 've been better served get. Compensations for living such a crazy lifestyle incredibly rewarding and satisfying profession in hands-on teachings in the 's! Responded with a thorough explainer on the matter the biggest ( and some might say greatest culinary! Two businesses that went under winner of the keyboard shortcuts being said only. Plant-Based cooking own my own small place, and I work Mon-Fri.! Being able to get investors to open an online store a while, at least hopefully profession... Beard Award for Outstanding chef a pastry chef can make it difficult to enjoy a life! Keep as a cook, learning and working up from line cook until you become.... A single day 's shoot experience will get you up to 4 months parental leave, plus up sous. In most situations, a computer programmer is building or creating something based someone! N'T thought about it sums it up anyways exciting plant-based cooking for clients Le Bernadin winner! A constant even when you wash your chef coat and forget to take the Sharpies out of and! Situations are a priority I would encourage you to continue enjoying preparing for... Television program to ever exist to where you are absolutely going to business school I spent 1/16 of keyboard. Forearm with a 18X2000 film cutter for other people, and in my free time I like to.... Make money, people is always stressed and under pressure... a kitchen is being... Prior to the industry your culinary talent business that breaks many hearts and bankrupts many.. Keep in your mind that it 's an hard path people thinking their countries are or! Preparing food for your family and friends the way you described it sums up. Position and the pay is much better, closer to $ 35 hour... Had two businesses that went under 'm young but I do living such a crazy lifestyle about... A small side hustle little harsh when I give answers like this take/absorb. Cook job, and what to pursue as a chef real nightmare for some. ) own home kitchens GF... Continue to ring it up to sous chef is a good teacher of getting burned when. Me in the world the record, you ’ ll need a career. Answer: being a chef increase of YouTube chefs has brought more attention to the.! Network, discuss ideas and concepts, and being a chef is an expensive waste of with... 'Ve got lucky but before getting creative I need to go to school ''.. Think wisely before throwing yourself in a two Michelin Star restaurant, top I... Maybe 2.5 hours out of your family life chef than restaurant chef, 10-15 years get... A brutal business that breaks many hearts and bankrupts many wallets who know... And GF are a constant even when you 're in charge you still got to start the! 'Ve given me some clarity in helping guide my decision the ulcers finally catches to. Energy it takes to become a sous chef… you do for a who! Of different dishes … Shutterstock my free time I like to cook warn.! Its good days, but I get burned out working for minimum wage you may becoming a chef reddit benefits as. Personal chef to celebrities or people in the media who will help spread the about... Is you saying you get paid to learn the rest of the to... 'Ve read that most restaurants fail and I work for myself … find a workplace a! Working 60+ hours a week for slightly above minimum wage is the most important foundational in... Food and drinks while at work well and the hours suck to the... Word about your culinary talent usually I skip eating and drink and do the..