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Career change with a twist

post #1 of 8
7/27/07 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
Some of you probably already know about a major part of me, so this question may come as no surprise...

I've long considered the idea of pursuing some sort of culinary career (possibly post-retirement, if that makes any sense). I would actually look forward to the progression from prep to line, etc.

The problem is that I have one arm. Actually, one and a half arms- a motorcycle accident took my right arm at the elbow. This is not an obstacle to doing what I love to do- actually, the most difficult things I have found in my kitchen include opening ziploc bags and stripping the leaves off of thyme and rosemary. I have adapted a lot of equipment to accommodate my change, and can prep as well as I ever could.

However, I have visions of a chef looking at me and saying, "You want to do WHAT?" I know, legally he can't say that but life is life. So my question to the pros is, would you see it as possible that a person in my situation could effectively do all the jobs required to make a kitchen successful? I know what all the legal-ese says; I'm more interested in hearing what those who do the job feel.
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post #2 of 8
7/27/07 at 8:50am
I think anything is possible, but most important, can you laugh at yourself, even about your inability to pick thyme? From all my years in the industry, attitude trumps almost everything, even skill. Show up, be ready to learn, and you're already ahead of half the people out there.

There's a guy with one arm, same situation as you, who works as a barista at one of the three Caribous near my house.
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post #3 of 8
7/27/07 at 11:14am
Years ago I knew a one-armed guitar player. He lost his arm, up to the elbow, in a motorcycle accident. Not only was he a good guitar player, but he made a couple of albums locally, played at some clubs, and had, at least, a nice local career.

I had a very seriously broken leg - also from a motorcycle accident - and found ways to do things while wearing a full leg cast that I was told I couldn't do, such as swimming (in a pool) and horseback riding. The docs said I'd never be able to run, but I ran numerous 10K and 15K races.

Shel
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post #4 of 8
7/29/07 at 5:52am
My youngest son has atypical late onset autism, 18 years old/possibly a 1.5 year vocabulary/delicate emotions. He can cook.....
as in making strudel with fillo when he was 4 by himself, 7 step creative dish at 6, eclairs....he's been with living with his father for 5 years and apparently they are into box cooking.
This past visit his favorite book to read has been the Professional Pastry Chef tome.....that I had to buy for school and actually have not picked up since.
We spent 3 (5-6 hour days) cooking this week.....he's still a good prep cook+

I've wondered what he'll do when he's 21 years old and ages out of the school program in KY. Right now I'm not sharing info on his cooking skills.....but I see him in a small commercial kitchen working with kind supervision. The reason I brought up my son is that anything is possible, just look for the right fit.....it may take some extra work looking but if it's your passion and you're self motivated then it's available.

Which is pretty much what the other posts say too.....the only one that can stop you is you.
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post #5 of 8
7/29/07 at 7:50am

Yes you can!

With the right attitude you can do anything you want. If you've the motivation to have modified some of your utensils then you will be able to handle a kitchen. You have to be patient with yourself probably because working a fast paced line for dinner service or performing some of the other fast paced tasks that are ever present in a kitchen evironment will definately test you. But, the bottom line is, if you believe you can do it then - "just do it"
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post #6 of 8
7/29/07 at 7:54pm
I knew a guy years ago that worked in a small restaurant. He was the sole cook; just him and a dishwasher. He was born with an arm that ended at his elbow. He had no problems. Good pool player, too.
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post #7 of 8
7/30/07 at 2:48pm

Attitude

There are all sorts out there. I knew a guy in Special Forces who was a Medal of Honor awardee with one leg. He never failed a physical training test and usually passed them with a score at least 10years below his age group.

It's all in the attitude.

I've got a 57 year old woman working for me that beat colon cancer 7 years ago and now it's back with 4 tumors in her chest and side. She works equivelent to a sous chef on Monday, goes to some heavy duty chemo therepy on Tuesday, flat on her back Wednesday and is back in there come ****, high water, or sunshine on Thursday!!!
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post #8 of 8
7/30/07 at 4:36pm
Attitude is Gratitude.... I'm 6'4" and I worked with a chef who was 4'6" and he kicked a milk crate around the kitchen and was always ahead. God Bless Him. (Passed a few years ago). As long as you are alive you can do anything.

If you need a pro reference let me know. I'll go out on the limb for you. (No Pun Intended) . Now start laughing and pursue anything you want to do in this life. I mean that from the heart.
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