I'm considering going to Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR. This would mean a complete career change for me (I'm not currently in the industry). Naturally, I'm anxious about leaving my good stable job to pursue a culinary degree. The reason I am considering it is that I don't particularly like my current job, I love to cook and feel that the time would be right to launch into a new direction.

What have you heard about Western Culinary Institute? What about career opportunities after graduation? Any ideas on income potential? I know I wouldn't get rich...and it would be several years of hard work before it started to pay off.

Are any of you past graduates from Western?

I have said this many times before, if you want to cook for a career, then get a job in a restaurant. Find out if thats what you really want to do. A love of cooking is a good start. But do you want to be standing on a line for 10 to 12 hours in 110 degrees broiling steaks for 200 plus people a night? Before you commit alot of time and money to school, work a year in the business first. Then decide if its what you want to do.

[Pete]

Andrew and I seem to be giving this advice out alot. Don't get us wrong, this industry rocks. It is the best career I know and I can't see myself doing anything else. Unfortunately chefs have become glamorized. They have become superstars. That's great for those who can make it but for the rest of us (99%) life can be less than glamourous. It's hot hard work in 110 degree temps with chefs, managers, and owners all yelling at you for food, etc. A love of food and cooking is a start, but restaurant life takes a lot more than that. I don't want to discourage anyone for entering this field, but please consider it carefully. There is no sense in quitting a secure job and putting finacial pressures on your family to go to culinary school and to find out 2 years later that the restaurant business isn't what you thought it was, or isn't something you care to do. If you do discover that you really like this career then I wish you the best of luck. As for Western I really don't know anything about it but the school can give you the name of some graduates who would be more than willing to tell you of their experience there.