ChefTalk.com  ›  ChefTalk Cooking Forums  ›  Food and Cooking Forums  ›  Restaurant Dining Experiences  ›  How old do you have to be to work at a restaurant as a dish wahser or cleaner?
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

How old do you have to be to work at a restaurant as a dish wahser or cleaner?

#1
Rating: 0
4/6/09 at 10:38pm
  • Joined: April 2009
  • Post Count: 14
I am 16 and want to pursue I Culinary Career but I want to work at a restaurant this summer to get the experience of working in a kitchen... Am I old enough
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
4/7/09 at 5:07am
  • Joined: September 2008
  • Location: Porterville, CA
  • Post Count: 445
Depends on your local and State labor laws and, possibly, the education code.

Check with you school advisor or the local employment office.

Chef/Owner
Le Bistro
33 W. Putnam Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257
559-783-8151

Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
4/7/09 at 9:32am
  • Joined: August 2004
  • Location: Minnesota
  • Post Count: 939
I worked nights (~4pm - 2 am), and some weekend days and/or nights for all the time I was in high school (age 16-18). Even though liquor was served in this restaurant, I started out as "Sandwich gooper", quickly moved on to Broasting and deep frying, and then quickly moved to position of fry cook.

Great experience. No problemas. Nada!

doc
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
4/7/09 at 10:37am
  • Joined: October 2007
  • Location: Eureka, CA
  • Post Count: 1,018
Shouldn't be an issue if you have a work permit.
You won't be allowed to use knives, slicers, etc.

Many, including myself, started out this way.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0
4/7/09 at 1:40pm
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Location: PALM BEACH FLORIDA
  • Post Count: 2,552
Each state or municipality has different laws re. teenage employment check with your schools guidance counselor.,and good luck.

CHEFED

Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0
4/27/09 at 11:30am
  • Joined: April 2009
  • Location: Houston, Texas
  • Post Count: 17
Well, if you're in the United States you would have to be 16, at least, most likely.
All the restaurants I worked at you had to be 18, but most of them would hire 16 year olds. I guess every now and then they would get in trouble for it because I remember a couple times waiters under 18 had to be fired, but then six months or so later they would just hire more kids again.
So who knows? Just go to the place you want to work and ask. That's what I would do. Seems the simplest way.
Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0
7/14/09 at 12:18pm
  • Joined: July 2009
  • Location: PA
  • Post Count: 33
I live in pa, and started as a busboy at 16, then, before I turned 17 I was in the kitchen frying up stuff and working the buffet. so yes, if you're in pa, you can work in a restaurant. I believe it was 17 before you could use a slicer and 18 to use alcohol while sauteeing. went to culinary school my 12th grade year of highschool in votech, then a 2 year all year round culinary school right out of highschool. best decision I ever made man, as long as you have the drive, desire, and passion for it.. and kitchens can be tough and vulgar so I hope you have the right mind for it too haha :)
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0
7/14/09 at 1:07pm
  • Joined: July 2008
  • Location: Central PA
  • Post Count: 672
OSHA - which supersedes state regs - requires workers to be 18 before they are allowed to work with sharp tools.

you can "work" prior to 18, but you can't use a slicer prior to 18....
Export to Wiki
#9
Rating: 0
7/14/09 at 8:41pm
  • Joined: October 2001
  • Location: Fond du Lac, WI
  • Post Count: 3,367
As everyone has stated, it all depends on local and state laws. Each state has different laws. Here in Wisconsin you can work at age 16 but there are restrictions about how many hours you can work and what those hours are. It is also different during school weeks and vacations. Some states require work permits, I believe that others don't. Check with your counslor, they will have all that information for you.

From Man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the World-Saint Arnoldus
http://www.onceachef.com/

Export to Wiki
#10
Rating: 0
10/9/09 at 8:20am
  • Joined: September 2009
  • Post Count: 24
Yes usually it depends on where you are located, where I am from it usually ranges from 14 and up but also it is very hard for someone that age to get the job if their is someone older applying for it as well. For waitors and waitresses the age is defiantly 18 and up and bus boys are usually 16 and up.
Export to Wiki
#11
Rating: 0
10/23/09 at 8:35am
  • Joined: September 2009
  • Post Count: 24
Yes usually it depends on where you are located, where I am from it usually ranges from 14 and up but also it is very hard for someone that age to get the job if their is someone older applying for it as well. For waitors and waitresses the age is defiantly 18 and up and bus boys are usually 16 and up. So it really depends on the restaurant and where that restaurant is located so if I was you I would go to the restaurant and ask them what the age requirements are.
Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread
ChefTalk.com  ›  ChefTalk Cooking Forums  ›  Food and Cooking Forums  ›  Restaurant Dining Experiences  ›  How old do you have to be to work at a restaurant as a dish wahser or cleaner?