school or not!

i just found out that I will not be attending the CIA in NY ( couldn't make tuition). My spirit so crushed! I don't know where to begin.

Everyone says to cheer up and to find a great chef in San Francisco to work with. Is this a reasonable answer? I work for a big hotel and hang out in the kitchen all of the time. I can't see when a chef would have time to teach my what I need to learn.

Hopelees!!! Any suggestions.

[Jim]

"Far better is to do dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nore suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat" -FDR

Take a chance. Venture out, work hard and believe in yourself. Get a great job working with a stellar chef. Then another and another. And then you will be the teacher.
Go.

Thank you !

This is just what I needed. Now, tell me how to approach a chef and say I have almost no experience but I want to be chef more than anything.

I heard a woman speak once at a women's network gathering. I have always wanted to go to her and now I will. With your advise of course. What do chefs look for when they take someone under their wing?? Also, she must get lots of requests because she is at one of the most popular restuarants in SF. How can I be differnet?

Is this like any other interview, would I be laughed out of the kitchen if I wrote a formal letter and wear a suit to a meeting?

What should I studying on my own?

Thank you again for the support.

[judy]

As a chef I smiled at your letter in fond memory of a young girl with the same abitions as you. She approached me regularly for many months till she wore my resistance out. The first day she worked along side me for 12 odd hours and smiled at the end of it. She gave more with her vivality and keenness to learn than any one i have had in the kitchen since. Not taking no for a answer to something you really want will get you where you want to go. Select your target, or should I say chef, and hang in there. Good luck, it is a pity you do not live in Australia!