[newbiechef]

ok, I am in college right now and have been wondering what exactly i am going to do for a living after i get out of college. i am currently tossing around several occupations and careers, however, all of these options go in VERY different directions, one of which is to become a professional chef, or restraunt(I still spell that wrong), or even becoming a baker and opening up a bakery shop. My question to everyone here, professional chefs, restraunt owners, and recreational chefs, how difficult and unreasonable is something like this? and how important is it for me to go through cooking school? i had considered transferring to the culinary institute in denver, but thats a MIGHTY big leap, and I need to be dang sure of exactly what I will be doing... also it would mean leaving my friends and everything and starting college over again. I just need some advice and opinions of what i would be getting myself into. all opinions and advice are welcomed and appreciated. thankyou... I have also been tossing around the idea of writing my own cookbook... anyways. thankyou.

[Mezzaluna]

Welcome to Chef Talk, Newbie. Take a look in the Culinary students'/culinary schools forums and browse the threads there. You are not alone! Members here are food writers, caterers, culinary instructors, executive chefs, servers.... I could go on, but you get the idea. There are people here doing every field you are considering. Do some reading here and post your questions in the appropriate forums to get the best visibility for them.

Good luck,
Mezzaluna

[Fledgling]

You can actually take a short program at the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver. That is where I am going to school at this time, actually, and I'm quite happy with the program. There are many students here that are doing what you are doing; many of them don't even want to enter the culinary field, they just want to learn how to cook. I wasn't sure about culinary school, but you will figure it out pretty quickly if you are cut out for it. It's only a year-long, so you won't waste too much of your time, and it's an education you will use as long as you continue to consume food.