Tips?

Hi Megan Jade, for my advice..  Finish high school :)  After that, get a job working in a kitchen so that you can learn all of its jobs, including dishwashing. Believe me, even as a chef it helps to know what the people around you are supposed to be doing so that everyone stays on task. Depending upon the skill set that you already have, it may be a good idea to go to a culinary program at a local community college to learn the basics, if you already know the basics working in a kitchen and under a good chef can teach you much of what you need to know.

You have to have passion to work in this field, believe me it is not for the money. If it weren't for my husband making a good salary I wouldn't be able to afford to do what I love.

Good luck,

Lauren

Megan... my daughter finished HS at age 17 by taking summer classes.

She was accepted into a ( great) nursing program also at 17.

So don't just drop out.

It will set you up (in future employers eyes), as a quitter.

Quitters are less likely to enter a profession at a greater than entry level position.

Go talk to your counselor, even if he/she is not cool.

Have a list of questions in your hand about how you can graduate early, or maybe they could get you hooked up with a work study program.

mimi

Hey Megan,

Highschool is one of those things at the time you hate but looking back you wish you had invested more time. If you are able to don't focus on hating highschool focus on how it will help you realize your passion. For example math classes every career you choose will require math. English and writing, every career you choose you will be measured by how well you can write. I can't tell you how many people look unprofessional simply because they can't type a simple email well.

As for wanting to find your passion if you think it is cooking or baking then get an after school job at a bakery and see if it is right for you. The biggest con I can think of with becoming a chef is the amount of hours you work and the time you would be away from your family. At first when your single it doesn't matter much but later when you have your own family you will be away from them more than you would prefer. Not all avenues of the hospitality industry require so many hours so explore different options. Examples of other options are becoming a food scientist, opening up a hot dog stand instead of a full blown restaurant, working in hospitals or retirement homes which don't require the same hours.

Hope that helps.

Hey Megan,

   I agree, you should focus on finishing high school first before you decide to jump into any kind of career. My experience through my 15 years in this industry is that it's extremely hard to keep the passion you may think you have. I was once told by the first Chef I apprenticed under that if you do not have an amazing passion for food it will never last. Starting from the bottom is seriously hard. You need dedication, willing to work 12-15 hours a day, sometimes be treated like crap and screamed at depending on the Chef you sign up under, and depending on the area you live in having to deal with the fact that you will never be compensated accordingly. I love food, I love to cook and I have a great passion for baking without all of that I'd never have made it through this long journey. The terrible truth is this, Since the recession started and soooo many people are out of work the food industry is one of a few professions that are being shoved in these peoples faces. I can only speak for the area that I live in but there are sooo many "cooks" courses being offered through government grant programs and these "mickey mouse" programs are so popular that people keep taking them and a few months later come out with a diploma saying they are "cooks" and are totally flooding the job market. I've been looking for a better paying job for a while now and they just don't exist. I go check out jobs on the job bank and restaurants are advertising hiring a head Chef and want the Red Seal and the Food Safety Training and are only paying $15/hr. It's sickening really. The best advice I could give you is take time and sit down with your parents or your guidance councilor and discuss how you feel and work closely with them so that you can point yourself in the right direction. High school may suck but quitting is not an option. Besides... 10 years from now you'll be looking back on your high school years and wish you could go back! lol You'll be all grown up soon enough, enjoy being a kid while you can :)