Looking into working at a restaurant

Leaf · #1 05-27-2006, 12:19 AM

I know I am probably way out of my league here but I thought I'd get some opinions first.

Basically I have been a lifeguard for 5 years and I desperately want to leave that job. I am a 20 year old college student majoring in biology here in Northern California. I enjoy cooking and my dad is a professional chef but I have no real experience. Besides getting a job as a waiter or busboy, I know I'd much rather do something in the kitchen. I'm sure that this isn't possible but is there some low position that I could possible do? I'd much rather work at a chain like Applebees or Chilis or something; and I would think that I would have a better shot at getting a job there. I hear the phrase line cook as being the base of everything so should I try and apply or am I just wasting my time seeing how I have no experience. Just looking for some advice, my parents are out of the country right now, and I need to look for a job this weekend. Hey we all started somewhere, I'm just hoping that I can too.

CrazyTATT · #2 05-27-2006, 12:32 AM

If your dad is a pro. chef, why can't he help out in your persuit.

You can learn from a position in the foremention corperate places, but if you can get in w/ a local bistro/fam run business, you could have the potential to learn ALOT more.

brewchef · #3 05-27-2006, 02:13 AM

like crazytatt said, you will learn LOTS more working in a small bistro or trattoria. you can find work in a kitchen with no experience, but will more than likely have to start by working as a prep cook. this will help you develop your knife skills and get a better understanding of how things work in a kitchen from ground level. the pay sucks and the hours can be long, but if you are passionate about food it really doesnt seem like work at all. i would mention looking into culinary school, but wait and see if this is something that you really want to consider as a career before investing the time and money for that. i wish you luck and let us know how things turn out for you.

Steve A · #4 05-27-2006, 01:09 PM

Both you and the others are right. However, it's usually easier to get into a chain at a lower wage and less skilled than at a mom and pop's where every body counts.

Chains have good training systems and I can personally vouch for Applebee's. Or at least when I worked there (years ago). It's also easier, to a point, to get advanced in a chain as opposed to a locally owned place.

Whatever your choice, good luck, enjoy and learn.

Ciao,