"...add on to that the fact that I have a very bad back."
If you have a very bad back at your age...you need to find another career NOW before you end up like me totally disabled. I too have a "bad back" and therefore can not do the work which I would love to do. I was a waiter,
busser
, short order cook and a line cook, all of which I enjoyed to the max. If I was still physically able to do this, I would. HOWEVER, due to my bad back (osteoporosis, compression fractures etc....shrinking 4 inches in height) I am no longer able to do ANY work outside of the house.
YOU still have a chance NOT to end up like me. But it may mean that you will not be able to pursue your culinary dreams. Catering is as labour intense as the other positions in the culinary world. Even a manager FOTH can be too much as there are times you may need to fill in B.O.T.H. (in cases of
personnel
not showing up etc.) You can still be "Top Chef" in your own flat, but it is only my opinion that, for your own health now and in the future, you faced the
inevitable
and realize that this business will not be for you. Sorry if this is "tough love" but I'm just trying to be realistic. Good luck in your future...whatever it is.