Chefs who become general managers

[squigon]

hi,

Am doing some research for our website and would like to find out if there is a possbility that chefs can be promoted to general managers of hotels, restaurants chains, etc?

Does anyone know of someone who has walked this path? Any response would be great.

Just want to know if it does happen and what it takes to get into the position of general manager.

Thanks so much in advance everyone. This is a wonderful forum.

Thinking of cheffing abroad? http://www.chefabroad.com

[kuan]

Hotels no. Never heard of it. Restaurants yes but not often. F&B more likely.

Thing with chefs is they see GM's and Restaurant Managers as "them." Plenty of bad attitude toward the FOH. But then you know that already. It's what keeps them from succeeding in that position.

Then there's always that weird feeling pulling you back into the kitchen...

[The Chef]

I've seen it happen once, this was an exceptional chef with great drive and ambition (he had apprenticed under Suser Lee).

But this type of transition can usually be made from back of the house to front with patience and support from the company or restaurant that you work with.

And although this fellow made the transition with grace, the call of the kitchen lured him back eventually. Once a Chef, always a Chef!