[Memento]

Hello everyone,

I am a 17 year old male living in the United Kingdom, originally born in Canada. My father is a professor of Psychology at the local university and up until a few weeks ago I was positive I wanted to follow in his footsteps, in the form of becoming a clinical psychologist. This would involve six years of university, eventually providing me with a PhD. All well and good, however I have cooked up some other plans recently.

While I am an academic individual and achieve high marks in my classes, I don't feel like spending six years in university. I have always had a love for cooking, and while I am still young I remember having fond dreams of becoming a chef when I was smaller. I started working in the UK as a dish washer in a local pub with very good food. Eventually, I moved up to being a server and am now given a position of starter chef two days a week, sometimes three. I am familiar with the kitchen environment and while I find it hot, hectic and sometimes hellish, I also see that it is challenging, rewarding and a career that many enjoy. Many times I hear the 19 year-old sous chef say, "I wouldn't trade this career for anything in the world."

I have come to the realization that I may want to become a chef, and make it my career. I am not 100% sure as university is certainly a viable option, but I have another year left of A Levels (high school) to decide my future. I think the only thing holding me back is the idea of not being able to make a high income, but I have realized that a salary is only so important, and the more talented and creative you are the further in this industry you will go.

I will be posting a lot in the school/college section to gain more information, and I have already made adequate use of the search function. This forum is a wealth of knowledge!

As of now there are two main places I am looking to study at. Tante Marie (London) which is endorsed by Gordon Ramsay and Le Cordon Bleu London, I assume its reputation speaks for itself. I will probably go see both these schools and be asking a lot of questions on here, so get ready to be pestered!

I look forward to talking with you all,

- Memento

[Inventedchef]

Hi mate i m also from england, welcome to this site and enjoy yourself .

[tessa]

welcome aboard from the land of the long white cloud

[Mezzaluna]

Welcome to Chef Talk, Memento. You're doing some serious thinking about careers, which many people your age (I could be your granny, after all!) don't bother to do. You have plenty of time to sort these things out. I'll bet there's some kind of connection between clinical psychology and cooking; I know there is between clinical psychological and bar tending! You'll meet many people here in their 40s and 50s who chucked what they thought was their lifelong work for work in kitchens. Their biggest fear ws that they'd waited too long, that it was too late. I guess what I'm saying is, you could have both if you choose to.

Have a look around the site; there's much here besides the discussion forums. We hope you visit often and participate, too!

Mezzaluna