Due to the ongoing recession and dearth of freelance work I contacted several employment agencies that specialize in placing experienced chefs with private families. This is not the personal chef business that many of our other members here are involved in. This is domestic work preparing meals to be served by a lady's maid to people of great fortune.
My first interview was a real shocker. I arrived 10 minutes early (military upbringing, you know. If you give a darn{not General Dad's word for it} about a job, show up early and ready to work) at a 5th Avenue apartment building, prepared with resume, references, photo portfolio and examples of published recipes. I was left to wait for half an hour in the lobby, making small-talk with the doorman. There was a call down and shortly I took the elevator to the top floor (entire) apartment where I was to meet and interview with the client. I was lead to what I assumed was the dining room and left to wait again amidst three gorgeous Claude Monet originals; it took me a while to grasp the the "Water Lilies" was NOT a reproduction! Imagine living with such beauty in your home?!
I spoke briefly with the personal assistant who glanced at my resume and asked me to outline what it said (what? you can't read? or didn't bother.) Then I interviewed with the butler, a very friendly, young British fellow who was, thankfully, better prepared for the task. Yes, I knew I would have to spend a good number of days per week at the country estate two hours away. Yes, my husband and I had discussed the sacrifices we would have to make, but the compensation was more than enough to make up for that. I asked relevent questions about how many I was required to cook for, how meals for other household staff were handled, what the client's preferences were and such. Then the kicker, "the job requires you to spend the entire Xmas season in Colorado. Can you do without your family?" I asked a few more details to find that I'd have my own apartment where my family could join me at our own expense. I said I think that would be fine as we both had other family in the area, but would like to check with my husband that evening. When could I start? Immediately, except for a few upcoming days that I had previously committed to.
I was shown the kitchen, butler's pantry, etc.--very nice except the All-Clad had been run through the dishwasher with lye(????)and had zero finish left. The knives were proudly shown to me to be Farberware Ever-Sharps (again, ?????-with Monets in the dining room?) No sweat-- I use my own knives anyway. Then I was informed that I should prepare to come back the next day and meet with Mrs. X, the client-call at 9AM to get the appointment time.
I checked in with the employment agent saying I felt the interview went well. He was very excited as his cut must have been substantial. I was very excited and hoped the job would work out well. The pay was good enough to clear all our debt and have a good nest egg within a year.
8:57 the next morning I called to get the time for the second interview. "I'm sorry, but Mrs. X has hired someone else." All this in the course of an afternoon? After they made perfectly clear I'd have to "audition" at a trial weekend in the country and in NYC, submit to a drug test, and have my references checked? What gives?
I made Rice Krispy Treats that afternoon. My son and I ate almost the whole batch. I still felt used, but much better.
Anyone interested in Chapter Two?
My first interview was a real shocker. I arrived 10 minutes early (military upbringing, you know. If you give a darn{not General Dad's word for it} about a job, show up early and ready to work) at a 5th Avenue apartment building, prepared with resume, references, photo portfolio and examples of published recipes. I was left to wait for half an hour in the lobby, making small-talk with the doorman. There was a call down and shortly I took the elevator to the top floor (entire) apartment where I was to meet and interview with the client. I was lead to what I assumed was the dining room and left to wait again amidst three gorgeous Claude Monet originals; it took me a while to grasp the the "Water Lilies" was NOT a reproduction! Imagine living with such beauty in your home?!
I spoke briefly with the personal assistant who glanced at my resume and asked me to outline what it said (what? you can't read? or didn't bother.) Then I interviewed with the butler, a very friendly, young British fellow who was, thankfully, better prepared for the task. Yes, I knew I would have to spend a good number of days per week at the country estate two hours away. Yes, my husband and I had discussed the sacrifices we would have to make, but the compensation was more than enough to make up for that. I asked relevent questions about how many I was required to cook for, how meals for other household staff were handled, what the client's preferences were and such. Then the kicker, "the job requires you to spend the entire Xmas season in Colorado. Can you do without your family?" I asked a few more details to find that I'd have my own apartment where my family could join me at our own expense. I said I think that would be fine as we both had other family in the area, but would like to check with my husband that evening. When could I start? Immediately, except for a few upcoming days that I had previously committed to.
I was shown the kitchen, butler's pantry, etc.--very nice except the All-Clad had been run through the dishwasher with lye(????)and had zero finish left. The knives were proudly shown to me to be Farberware Ever-Sharps (again, ?????-with Monets in the dining room?) No sweat-- I use my own knives anyway. Then I was informed that I should prepare to come back the next day and meet with Mrs. X, the client-call at 9AM to get the appointment time.
I checked in with the employment agent saying I felt the interview went well. He was very excited as his cut must have been substantial. I was very excited and hoped the job would work out well. The pay was good enough to clear all our debt and have a good nest egg within a year.
8:57 the next morning I called to get the time for the second interview. "I'm sorry, but Mrs. X has hired someone else." All this in the course of an afternoon? After they made perfectly clear I'd have to "audition" at a trial weekend in the country and in NYC, submit to a drug test, and have my references checked? What gives?
I made Rice Krispy Treats that afternoon. My son and I ate almost the whole batch. I still felt used, but much better.
Anyone interested in Chapter Two?