Hey, I posted here before for advice on my first line job and I liked a lot of the feedback and suggestions. Now I am back wondering if anybody could give me advice what I should be applying for and how I should go about it.
Here is the background on my situation. I graduated in June from a community college with an A.A. in culinary arts. It was a great experience and I got exposed to a lot of different cultures. Besides that 3 week job line cook job, I''ve been working as an "on-call line-cook" at a well known club/restaurant in L.A. since January. The restaurant itself has been closed since i started, so they just call me for banquets and catering events. I'm usually either plating, prepping, and/or finishing off the par-cooked food. Maybe once in awhile if we're short or its for over 500 people, I'll get to actually make stuff from scratch. I work basically 1-2 times every other week. Its my first culinary job and pretty much the only job I've had since January.
Since its been pretty much my only job, I've been pretty much stuck living with my parents. I primarily look for jobs through craigslist and career builder and I apply for any cook jobs. I generally avoid places that are chains or places with mediocre food. I've had about 6 interviews out of probably 60 applications/resumes I've sent out. Thats not including the non-kitchen positions I've applied for, which would make it up in the 100s somewhere.
Anyway I've been thinking about reconsidering my position on chain restaurants as I'm getting kind of desperate for money. I just have a hard time trying to convince myself that I won't be learning from mediocre cooks or chefs even though they're cooking mediocre food. I want to be the best and I don't want to settle for mediocrity. I've also thought about working as a dishwasher but I either don't hear anything or I hear they want someone with at least 1yr experience . I've also thought working for free but I don't exactly know how to go about that. I really wouldn't mind doing that at all especially if the place was well pretty well known. I just don't know what to expect or how long I would have do it for. There is also my cousin who can possibly get me a job as a cook as hes opening up a restaurant/club in the San Francisco area in a couple months. I have some family that would let me stay with them and my cousin has even offered me to move in with him. Its just that its 2 months away, I don't like the bay area that much and Its not exactly a "sure thing" yet.
Anyway I've had a lot of friends and relatives tell me that maybe I should reconsider my career choice because of my experiences so far but I won't ever give up dreams of being a chef and eventually running my own catering business. So any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Here is the background on my situation. I graduated in June from a community college with an A.A. in culinary arts. It was a great experience and I got exposed to a lot of different cultures. Besides that 3 week job line cook job, I''ve been working as an "on-call line-cook" at a well known club/restaurant in L.A. since January. The restaurant itself has been closed since i started, so they just call me for banquets and catering events. I'm usually either plating, prepping, and/or finishing off the par-cooked food. Maybe once in awhile if we're short or its for over 500 people, I'll get to actually make stuff from scratch. I work basically 1-2 times every other week. Its my first culinary job and pretty much the only job I've had since January.
Since its been pretty much my only job, I've been pretty much stuck living with my parents. I primarily look for jobs through craigslist and career builder and I apply for any cook jobs. I generally avoid places that are chains or places with mediocre food. I've had about 6 interviews out of probably 60 applications/resumes I've sent out. Thats not including the non-kitchen positions I've applied for, which would make it up in the 100s somewhere.
Anyway I've been thinking about reconsidering my position on chain restaurants as I'm getting kind of desperate for money. I just have a hard time trying to convince myself that I won't be learning from mediocre cooks or chefs even though they're cooking mediocre food. I want to be the best and I don't want to settle for mediocrity. I've also thought about working as a dishwasher but I either don't hear anything or I hear they want someone with at least 1yr experience . I've also thought working for free but I don't exactly know how to go about that. I really wouldn't mind doing that at all especially if the place was well pretty well known. I just don't know what to expect or how long I would have do it for. There is also my cousin who can possibly get me a job as a cook as hes opening up a restaurant/club in the San Francisco area in a couple months. I have some family that would let me stay with them and my cousin has even offered me to move in with him. Its just that its 2 months away, I don't like the bay area that much and Its not exactly a "sure thing" yet.
Anyway I've had a lot of friends and relatives tell me that maybe I should reconsider my career choice because of my experiences so far but I won't ever give up dreams of being a chef and eventually running my own catering business. So any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
