Where to begin?

kleraudio · #1 06-09-2008, 05:29 PM

Hey everyone, this is my first post and I am very glad I found this site!

Ive been lurking here for a few hours now and would like to ask some questions.

First my background:

I was basically born in a restaurant. I am 100% Greek and of course my Father has owned restaurants his whole life. Ever since the age of 10 Ive been helping him out. Got really serious with him at the age of 16 and have been working with him pretty much full time for 10 years.

The restaurants are not gourmet by any means, the first was a gyro joint in chicago, you know, gyros, burgers, pizza, hot dogs, etc...

The latest 2 were small office style delis here in Tampa, FL.

Well he just sold this last one and I have been wanting to be a cook at a nice restaurant for quite some time. I dont have the big time restaurant experience but I do have everything else. The speed, stamina, patience, the stress, burn marks and scars :-)

Where do I begin to try and find a job as a cook at a nicer restaurant? Ive applied at a chain, took a tour of the kitchen and left. (Ruby Tuesday). Filthy, and all the food is already prepped.

Id like to get into some more upscale restaurants but dont know how to go about doing it. Do I just walk in and talk to the owner? Bring a resume? How should I dress?

Sorry for the long post but its time to venture out from under my Dad's wings.

My ultimate goal is to own my own upscale restaurant but I think I should at least get a few years experience under my belt.

Thanks for reading this far!

Jim

Quinn01 · #2 06-09-2008, 05:43 PM

First of all Welcome to CT. Second, yes you find a decent place that you would learn in and make decent money at the same time. Walk in go up to the hostest (or you could call in and ask to speak to the chef and just let him know that youll be comming in in a few days to speak with him on a job) and tell them your background what your looking for in a position what you are looking to do/make money wise or if its not a big deal dont worry about it but make sure you ask what youll be making, dress nice yes, either go in in whites or nice clean dress pants with a nice polo shirt bringing along your portfilo (resume, cover letter, thank you letter and maybe a letter of reference or two) and sit down with the chef.

ALSO ASK FOR A SAMPLE OF THE MENU SO YOU CAN LEARN IT (making sure to tell him those words, itll impress him)

Hope I helped and again Welcome!

Good luck too keep us posted!

kleraudio · #3 06-09-2008, 06:28 PM

Hey Quinn, thanks alot for the reply!

That sounds like a great plan! Just one question, how do I get past the part of asking if they are even hiring. It seems kind of weak to ask "I'm wondering if you are currently hiring".

Or is that the norm?

Thanks!

Jim

Gunnar · #4 06-09-2008, 07:45 PM

Weak as it sounds " I was wondering if you hiring" and " Well, I did bring a copy of my resume" will get you places. Here's a tip, apply at every country club you can find. They are some of the worst places to work due to the demands of the members. However, most of them have benefits, decent pay and lots of hours...all your time and just a little bit of soul.

You will learn a wide variety of sandwhiches, salads, salad dressings, desserts, doughs, sauces, grilling, baking, High falutin meat stuff like a cracked pepper filet mignon topped with bleu cheese and crumbled prosciutto for 100 people or more, especially if its a buffet. I suggest stea.. ..er.. ..copying these recipes.

Also, never be afraid to walk to the back door of a kitchen (if thats feasible) and ask the dishwasher to talk to the the manager or the chef.. ... look clean, have a resume, say "Chef" till they say otherwise and then hit them with old "I was wondering...etc from above. " doesn't work every time but has kept me employed enough not to matter.

kleraudio · #5 06-09-2008, 10:28 PM

Thanks Gunnar, sounds inspiring man. Went and got a haircut tonight for the occasion tomorrow. Im gonna go to some local restaurants and see if anyone needs help.

Other than country clubs, would you recommend a hotel? And if I stick to strictly restaurants, what would be the best kind of restaurant to learn many different techniques and such?

Thanks alot man, looking forward to this!

Jim

Gunnar · #6 06-09-2008, 11:33 PM

not sure how institutionalized the cooking in say a Radison, Hilton , or Red Lion Inn is. While there is nothing wrong with the work you won't be learning alot. Look for a place like the Waldorf-Astoria or Drake Hotel (course i don't think they would hire me either). Mostly the idea is if there are high expectations of a place, the more they will have spent on the chef, the food and the kitchen in general. If you know of a good convention center or something of the sort see if they have a kitchen. Best of luck.