[Chef Robert]

Hello. I am Robert, as my name indicates, and I have just joined this community. I am 15 and live in Hawaii, although I admit I do not like it here.

My background as a cook is brief and tragic. I suppose it all began when I was a little kid. I created a menu of things in our kitchen which I could cook and laid it out for my dad to choose what to eat. I enjoyed it quite a bit until he told me that my food sucked, only subtler. I swore off cooking for a long time.

Eventually, I found myself behind the stove again, making all the food that this family eats. My culinary creations are largely unappreciated and unremarkable. Any complements my dad gives me have a slight connotation of sarcasm.

Still, it was only until I had completed the ninth grade when I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a chef. I wanted to be a chef more than anything else. Initially, I wanted to be a writer, but I felt being a chef could allow me to incorporate my writing talent in cookbooks that I may publish.

At any rate, I have joined to potentially increase my culinary knowledge, which is something I hope this place does, and to gain some insight into my future endeavors.

[cliveb]

Bonjour, Robert, comment ça va?
Stick around - this is a happy place!

[Mezzaluna]

Hello Robert and welcome to Chef Talk! As you're aspiring to a career in the culinary world, I'm sure you'll find plenty of interesting information throughout the site, but especially in the Culinary Students/Culinary Schools forum. If you use the search button, you'll be able to find earlier conversations that I'm certain will interest and engage you.

My own brother began his culinary career in his teens as a busboy. He moved on to salad cook, etc. and then went to culinary school. To make a long story short, he's now chef-owner of a successful bistro. You are fortunate to have found something that inspires and rewards your efforts. You seem to have the persistence to succeed, and have found that lack of enthusiasm on the part of your family cannot deter you; you've looked to yourself for encouragement and will therefore succeed!

Enjoy the forums, connect with others from whose experience you can benefit, and HAVE FUN HERE!

Good luck and best regards,
Mezzaluna

[Steve A]

Aloha Robert,

I don't know where in Hawai'i you are, but I've an acquaintance with a couple restaurants on Oahu, I believe. I know at 15 there's not a lot you can do legally, but if you want, I can get you a point of contact.

Ciao,

[Chef Robert]

Thanks for your support. I like this place already. Of course, I am saying this three days into me being here, which is kind of stupid to say "I like this place already".