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[BevReview Steve]

Enough said. Ask away. There are tons of people here ready to help you out!

[mudbug]

I have a question. How did "ChiliBoy" get the name?

[Isa]

I have a question too, What does cchiu stand for?

[mudbug]

First name initial, last name. Pretty common with email addresses.

[mudbug]

I assume Sisi is your first name and not a nickname?

I recently ran into an interesting situation where I met with one of the top chefs in my city and asked her opinions about culinary school since I wanted to get into this field. I recently quit my job-(cold turkey) and decided to pursue my culinary dream. She invited me into her kitchen and told me to come back on a night when all her crew would be working. I came back the next night and saw what went on in her kitchen and stayed until they closed the restaurant. I called her the next day and told her how impressed I was-everything there ran like clockwork! She asked what would I like to do there and I told her being a newbie, I thought starting as a prep cook or something where I would learn how things started out and how they got created would be a good start. She offered me to come back one morning that I would be free and see what goes on during the morning crew. If things work out and I could train with someone there, she would hire me. Apparently she has an opening coming up soon as well as she is opening a new restaurant in the city in a few months. She has been rated several times in the local magazines, recognized by CA restaurant association and has won numerous awards.

For someone totally new in this field, what advice, opinions, thoughts would you suggest I do?

If I could learn the culinary skills from her people, that would be grand. I couldn't believe she was asking me if I wanted to work at her restaurant from just a simple knowledge question of only wanting ten minutes of her time. I'm trying not to worry or get all flustered if she allows me to help in her kitchen. Now I hope I don't cut any of my fingers from reading some of the other posts! Thanks in advance for any helpful hints.

Doughboi

[This message has been edited by doughboi (edited 11-30-2000).]

Doughboi, you are on the right track...I think it may be helpful if you understand where she's coming from. It's becoming more and more difficult to find good help in any field. There are a lot of chefs out there that would rather mentor someone w/ little or no experience and train them the way they want to train them as opposed to hiring someone who "already knows everything". People that WANT TO LEARN are easier to teach than the know it all. If you're willing to work your butt off for the sake of growing as a cook, by all means, go for it. The pay isn't great but you'll never starve and you'll meet the most colorful people in the world.

As for your fingers, be honest up front. Never be afraid of looking stupid if you don't know how to do something. ASK HOW! And be careful; go slow at first until you become comfortable. Practice, practice.

[Isa]

Cchiu,


No it's not my name. To this day I wonder why I registered under that name, between you and me I don't really like it. But what's done is done.

[Mezzaluna]

Sisi, I always thought it had to do with the version of "yes" in French, when someone makes a statement (such as, "It's not raining"- but it's raining, so you answer, "Si, il pleut") but you correct them. Am I making sense???

[This message has been edited by Mezzaluna (edited 11-30-2000).]

doughboi,
I have to agree with missyk1999 on the idea
of being willing and not being afraid to ask questions.I agree that alot of Chefs would rather have a person that they can work with as opposed to a three year wonder-cook that
"Knows" how to work a station because so and so did it like that.Ask and then ask why.I think you'll not only learn a lot but make many friends in the process.Good luck and take care.Bill

Oh stop being such a Sisi!

[shroomgirl]

Gee I thought CChiu was a take off on "seat you" in a restaurant. Sisi I thought was a nickname like maemae in China (little sister)
Shoot I saw chiliboy and thought hey I'm into mushroom hunting and cooking that's a good one beats marketgirl (uhoh guess I can't post that with children online...but sounded trully suggestive.

[BevReview Steve]

Originally posted by cchiu:
I have a question. How did "ChiliBoy" get the name?

Funny story Let's just say there was a little cooking disaster in my life involving chili... I prefer to leave it at that. The memories are trumatic!

cchiu, I just thought you might have had a cold when you registered!

[Isa]

Mezzaluna,

You are right si can be used like yes, rarely would you repeat it twice.

In French si also mean if.

It can also mean everytime like in "Si je sors sans parapluie il pleut" Everytime I go out without a umbrealla it rains.

There are many other examples of other meaning but I'll stop here.


Chrose,


I know I'll be forever sorry I ask but exactly what is a sisi??