Question for the pros...

[sucrechef]

I know you are focused on getting a job in a restaurant, but there is another possibility to consider. I want you to promise that you won't stop reading until the end even if you start laughing now ... Cafeteria. Now when I say this, I don't mean that crappy school lunch we all used to eat in junior high (although a lot of the middle schools now have quality food programs) I am talking about College, University, Hospital and CORPORATE cafeterias. There are three major corporations who do contract food service in these areas (I happen to work for one of them - I am executive chef and general manager feeding breakfast and lunch to 2000 daily) and you would be amazed at the high quality (especially in the area of catering) not to mention high volume, and if you are looking for broad experience, the menus change more frequently than any restaurant - most items change at lease weekly if not daily.

If you have any questions about this area, I will be happy to try to answer them.

[JackButler]

Best advice I ever got I got from the line cook at my grandmother's restaurant, way back when I was a teenager and just getting into kitchen work. He said "Take whatever job you can to get your foot in the door. Work hard, don't ***** too much, and when another opening comes up, ask for it."

That plan's never, ever failed for me.