2 months ago I finished my certification course in a 6 month master chef program in Los Angeles. Obviously, in such a short amount of time, the basic of the basic is covered here. My chef instructor graduated from the CIA in New York, and he instructed us what on he learned from that prestigious college.
I've been asking small independantly owned restaurants, if they needed any type of help in the kitchen via email. I havent recieved one response, not even a 'no'. Does anyone in the industry have any suggestions on what approach I should take? With no restaurant/kitchen experiance, other than I'm the primary cook at home, am I hirable at all? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your help.
With no commercial kitchen experience, you will have little luck with emails, resumes, walkins or telephone calls for a cooking job.
You might be able to start as a dishwasher or kitchen helper/prep cook at minimum wage as most do, whether culinary school graduates or not. This is not necessarily a bad thing as you will gain commercial kitchen experience, learn more about the industry, and put yourself in line for advancement.
Despite the hype about culinary school/training, without any commercial kitchen experience your job opportunities are very limited
Six months? I would personally call kitchens 2-3 hours before service and ask if you can talk with the chef. Make it quick, tell the chef something like "chef, I want to learn. I've been through six months of culinary school that taught me nothing. Can I send you my resume?"
Dress decently. Clean shaven, haircut, nice slacks, good shirt, etc. Be ready to make a good first impression. Then go find a few local kitchens of decent restaurants. Meet the chefs. Be prepared to start. Let them know who you are, why you are there and what you want. The chef wants your eyes and ears open, your mouth shut and your hands and mind at his disposal. Be willing to do what ever you are told, no complaining. Show up on time. Be dependable. Be willing to learn.
I don't think it will be long before you find a chef who has someone he would like to get rid of if only he had a warm body to fill the position. Lack of experience isn't as much of a problem as a closed mind and open mouth is. The chefs already have someone with the latter, they can change the former. But get off the computer and get out there.
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