Posts by Clove

I haven't been in Vegas too long and all but one of my coworkers went to school out of state. I have heard a few negative comments about one of the programs, but I don't know the details. I can ask at work tonight and see if I can find...

Montelago - Where did you hear that about the credit check? I am just curious who is doing this. I did not have my credit checked for my current job, but perhaps other casinos on the strip have that requirement. However, with the...

I know two people that have worked for the Bouchon here in Vegas and it is not as hard to get into as you might think. Vegas is a strange city for cooks and some of the rules are slightly different here. Many of the cooks in Vegas...

"The Professional Chef" by the CIA is available on Amazon and covers a lot of the basic techniques along with recipes. It's huge! But On Food and Cooking would have been my first suggestion if you didn't already have it. ...

I kind of agree on this one. Many people have been successful without the schooling, but it helps so much. When I was out of school less than 2 years, I had a pastry chef that had not gone to school, but did have an impressive...

Look at it as a continued investment. If you are willing to invest $10,000-$20,000 in culinary school, why then pass up the chance to keep learning for a difference of 1 or 2 dollars an hour?? If necessary, take a part time job waiting...

I am not sure if you do literally mean pastry chef or a pastry cook just out of school. I think ChefieM's post is pretty accurate. Expect in the beginning to get paid less at the nicer restaurants, because there are more applicants...

I am going to second Vegas as a consideration. It doesn't fit all of your criteria, but it can be a great place to get started and save up some money (maybe pay off school loans) before moving on. There are a lot of job opportunites...

You can aim as high as you want. Even the top kitchens in America will hire people right out of culinary school. While I was going to school in Napa, I knew of two people working at The French Laundry as their first job out of...

Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. This really makes you examine your food choices and is incredibly thought provoking.