The Unemployed Chef Chronicles (STUDENTS!Look here before you spend all that $$$)

:) Been meaning to do this for a while:)

First of all, I just wanted to share some of my recent experiences with the hope maybe someone else can benefit, and second, simply to expend my excess energy:)

If anyone wants any information about the programs offered to those who work/live below Canal St. please email me. The only other requirement is that you can show your income has dropped by 25% since 9/11.

I've received tons of help in various forms from groups that I didn't even know existed or ignored because I didn't think I would be eligible.

I'll give some background later, but for now I'll start with the present.

:chef: :chef: :chef:


The Sunday Times had tons of great listings this week. They actually update their online listings 6 times a week I think, so I make sure and check every day. You have to register, but it's no big deal ( just a few more pop-up ads). They also have lots of non-NYC jobs, so it's useful even for non-NYers.

I've seen ads for the Jean-Georges empire, the Drew Nierpont empire, Restaurant Associates, B.R. Guest, and even from one of my heros: Savoy.
I take this as a good omen. :cool:

I wouldn't mind being a line cook for Jean-Georges, who is another of my heroes, but I know I wouldn't get to work with the man.
I sent in a resume to Savoy for a grill cook position because I know he (Peter Hoffman) works the line and I've always admired his food and his ethics.
One career advisor told me, in general, that I don't want to do this, but to "train" with someone like that, doesn't look too bad.
And heck, I think it would be kinda fun.....

I did land an interview with B.R. Guest tomorrow via FCI's job listings. It was posted annonymously as for: " a NYC restaurant family...executive chef.....in a new Italian restaurant......"
I'm thinking,
Hm, a small, new, family run Italian wants someone to operate their kitchen....
They didn't even accept faxes directly; I had to send it via FCI.
I soon learned they were talking about Fiamma Osteria which made me chuckle quite a bit, and I doubt they're calling me to be executive chef as the one they have is both a partner and very accomplished,
but, they probably have some corporate or other positions, so I'm looking forward to it.
Reviewing all those interview tips I received here:http://www.cheftalkcafe.com/forums/s...ight=interview

I have an additional question regarding interviews for you folks:

Suit and Tie?

Now, I've been going on several interviews and mostly wear the suit and tie, but I usually feel overdressed. The "professionals" advise to always wear, especially for an "exec chef" position, but all the situations I've been in so far, including with the HR people are pretty casual. I feel funny walking through the kitchen in a suit and I'm not really a suit kinda person...

What do you think?

Enough blabbing, tonight I attend an ongoing restaurant management course at the New School taught by an excellent teacher, David Friedman. He worked for Restaurant Associates and with Drew Nierpont. Lots of great people in the class with a wide variety of restaurant interests. Luckily I'm the only chef, so it presents a lot of good job opportunities from prospective restauranteurs!
Also picking up some home-designed biz cards so those future restauranteurs will not forget about me.

Thanks for this forum:)

Thanks for the great and obviously tried and true advice gentlemen. I'm ironing away right now:)

It turns out one of the guys in the aforementioned class is a Maitre'd for Jean Georges and the Mercer Kitchen and graciously offered to take my resume.

He always arrives at the class dressed immaculately, as if for work, so there ya go....

Unemployed Chef Chronicles #2

Well, there are a few things I have learned over the past few days, let's start with this:

Most of the "advice" I have received regarding interviews, resumes,etc., from culinary/professional web sites and notabley HERE, have come in extremely useful.

Fellow job-seeking chefs of the world:

Be Prepared!
Do Your Homework!

These are things I'm glad I did in preparation for today:

Learned how to write a proper resume.
Learned what to expect during an interview.
STUDIED my potential employer!!!Names, history, web sites, mission statements, menus, the COMPETITION!!!
Mentally reviewed my work history and experience.
Mentally reviewed basic industry standard costs! (TY Kuan).
Produced copies of every legal, educational and professional document known to man.
Produced references dating back to childhood.
Spent some dinero on things like paper, biz cards, resumes, clothes, haircuts, buttermilk foot baths.....

Other things:

Polished my shoes, even on a rainy day.
Bought a new shirt for the occasion.
Wore the bloody suit and tie, along with a @##&&* rain coat.
Bought mints and used them.
Took a car to the interview (instead of the subway, last time I ended up all sweaty and aggravated, in the car I just hummed quietly and dreamed of meringue whisps).
Hit the gym beforehand and vented my anxiety. Stretched and took a long hot shower.
Had a good night's sleep after staying up and fretting about the war.
Ate at one or two of the prospective employers restaurants.
Brought copies of my resume and references, on good paper.
Knew that I knew I could do this.
Knew that I knew I could make a very good omelette.

Result:

After a few minor butterflies, and realizing that the young whippersnappers around were there for other jobs, I took a few deep breaths and REMINDED myself that I am qualified for this job. Visions of thousands of plates went before my eyes. Was this really me? And that's all it took.
The HR person was snappy, organized and professional. Didn't ask me about my life story or "my favorite food" or even my "worst attribute" (thank god, I hate that!), but I was ready even for that. Allowed me to be comfortable and we immediately jumped into food. Didn't hurt that they were living in BROOKLYN or that all the relevant restaurant "buzz" words just popped out of my mouth naturally. The killer was this: turns out the potential position is currently occupied by a chef I have interacted with very often through our previous positions. Not that the job is sealed by any means, but it doesn't hurt. Talk about a small world.

Another good omen:cool:

The HR person just called me to set up an appointment for next week with the corp. exec. chef. More homework to do....

Question of the day:

The aforementioned resources always suggest writing
a thank you note after the interview......Is this True?
Has anyone here done that????
Make sure to get the full name and address.

In the brutal rain, I walked two blocks to see my "job counselor" and reminded them to update my paperwork so that I can procede with Spanish classes. As well as the restaurant management classes which I already paid for, but they are supposed to.

Reluctantly, I traversed the subways and ended up at Astor Place to look at my new biz cards. Not bad....The masses were clamoring. I solemnly accepted the proofs, and abruptly purchased a couple of Riojas from the Warehouse.
Took the subway home in my rainy wooly self. What more do we need. Get the job, not get the job, for once, I'm pleased with the overall performance........

:chef:

Unemployed chef chronicles #3

I always start my morning by checking the following job searches online:

The NYTimes, the Village Voice (mostly geared to service and entry level, but not always, and occasionly out of state offerings),

HRCareers.com ( I've had one or two good hits from them, and they are national/international. The one {still pending} offer I got through them is for the British West Indies),
America's Job Bank online as well is similar, and they both offer "job detectives" which notify you if any available jobs meet your search criteria. I've sent a dozen or so resumes via their resources, but no results yet.
The ACF job search. You must be a member, and the offerings are usually lame, but not useless.
FCI sends a bi-weekly list of available jobs. I've had a couple good hits on that, but of course you must be alumnus. It seems most of their offerings are entry-level or outdated, but not useless.
The NRA actually lists jobs, but pretty lame, considering, and mostly useless (I check anyway).
I also check the listings from the University I attended (BU), 'cause they have a hospitality school. I haven't found anything, but I always check.
I pass out biz cards to my fellow classmates and any restaurant I go to, without being obnoxious.
I also purchased some good letterhead in case the opportunity arises to present a resume in person! I wish! The old-fashioned (and best, I think) way to get a job.

It helps to have a computer, of course, and a fax machine. BUT, believe me, it is not impossible to get access to the same even if you don't have at home. And of course, ALL these job search vehicle expenses are tax deductible, including all materials, transportation, etc.

If anyone wants any info about this, please email me.

The Unemployed Chef Chronicles #4

Oh, and I might add to the above:

I check the websites of big restaurant/hotel corps. on a semi-weekly basis, because they sometimes have offerings you won't see elsewhere:
Aramark, Sodexho, Marriot, Wyndham, Sonesta. etc... Jean-Georges, BRGuest, Restaurant Assoc. and other similar that I can't even remember, all maintain some pretty spectacular web-sites where you can access job offerings.

Of course, word of mouth is best, but the above is a good alternative that we can't afford to just ignore.

I also am signed up with a "job-training" provider through the 9/11 Fund ( but there are many other similar programs available to anyone unemployed), and while they are geared mostly towards blue-collar/union stuff (plenty of restaurant work there!), they can help with things like resume writing, interview skills and more importantly, computer skills (excel spreadsheets are very important these days, no?). My counselor is pretty lame and I end up doing most of the paperwork for her, but they DID give me a big check to do things like:
buy new shoes, new shirt, haircut, resume paper, etc.
One funny story about them:
a job counselor called me at home to tell me about a job he was contacted about. It was for a "meat slicer" with the food service co. which has a contract with the American Stock Exchange. He wanted to know if "chefs" knew how to operate "meat slicers."
I smiled inwardly, cleared my throat, and said "why yes," chefs are generally trained to operate meat slicers! Hahaha....
He told me the job was $12/hr. would I be interested?
I thought about it. While I don't have any problem with any salary, I don't really wanna be slicing 200# of Boar's Head Ham all day!
I thanked him profusely, but reminded him that my unemployment check is bigger than that and it really wouldn't be wise to accept such a job.
He said, "but what happens when that runs out??"
I hadn't actually thought about that, but responded, " I guess I'll take my chances on that.."
He told me he wasn't even aware of current unemployment benefits. The last time he checked it was like $200/wk/max. I smiled again...what a cutie!
Anyway, he has contacted me a couple of times since then, and I actually went to interview for one occasion.....

The bottom line, people, is be humble, stick to your guns, your culinary roots and motivation and be open to anything!
:chef:

The Unemployed Chef Chronicles #5

Brown Sugar,

You seem to have a similar geographical history as I do!
Surely you would know that in Brooklyn we don't have taxis, we take "car services." I took a "limo" into Manhattan ($14 + tip, same amount of time as subway, but far more conducive to a good interview:) ). Took the subway back with the rest of the working class grunts. Mission accomplished. No, I don't have a car, that's one reason I live here! Where are you in Brooklyn?


Chefboy,
very interesting point.....
If I were currently employed, I would employ the same strategy. I would generally be FAR more comfortable in chef whites and chex than in a suit, thus my above dilemna.
I can tell you this though, and I didn't give it much thought before I posed the question here:

Once I had done my homework and studied every "professional" angle I could think of,
the physical appearance stuff gave me a psychological edge that I never really paid attention to before. The suit, tie, spiffy shoes, manicure, pedicure (Yes!), hair cut, make you feel.....(how can I say it but thus!):
that your Mise En Place is together and ready....

Before I interviewed with BRGuest, the last interview I went on was with a by-product of the Balducci food empire. I wore black jeans, an open-collar shirt, and arrived sweaty and late from the subway. Essentially, the interview location was a grocery store; very grimy actually, and the HR people were plainly dressed. However, it's a very high-profile, big $$, hi-volume operation and I regretted my non-chalance. Initially I was a little nervous and fidgety because it's an odd feeling being interviewed by people whose job is to interview people (as opposed to those who cook and operate restaurants)........ Once I got past that feeling and the fact that my fate with this company was doomed, I relaxed and had a great interview. Didn't bother to send a thank you note....... Lesson learned!!!!!!!!!

:chef: :D :chef:

Bighat, very good point... I've never been one to BS with people that much, I'm rather plainly spoken:) , but I've mended my ways and I'm all about getting in peoples heads. Though I've read a lot about what you describe, (talking as if you already have the job), I just can't bring myself to do it. I do "think" as if the job is mine, and that in turn gives me the confidence to physically behave as if I do.....

BS,
I think it is a valid question....I have been wearing the standard wool suit and praying for cool days. So far so good. But what do we do if we can't afford the linen and silk suits for every season??? Do we just suck it up and purchase them? I always wondered how the poor fellas do it in the summer...

Mage, I think that is another very good and (hopefully) obvious point:) I actually paused to think about it this morning. That successful first interview shirt may still be wearable or bring you good luck, but, don't do it! I remember interviewing people at my last restaurant and immedietely struck people from the list if they wore the same clothing two days in a row!
And I like the "wearing a pin' thing. I've never done that, but now I'm trying to think of a subtle way of doing that.......

Thanks for all your help and input folks!!!!

:chef:

The Unemployed Chef Chronicles #6 (pt.1)

:chef:

BTW, I'd LOVE to hear about other people's "unemployed chef" experiences...

So this is how the 2nd interview went with the "corp. chefs":
Prepared myself as above, even more so. This time I wore new socks:) .

The interview was at Dos Caminos and I arrived 5 min. early. I was asked to wait at the bar. They were busy and rockin' and I thought it a little odd to have an interview in the middle of a lunch rush.....and to wait at the bar. I sat there and thought how it sucks to have an occupied seat from a customer who isn't ordering a drink. I ordered a cran/soda, only $2, I was impressed though it wasn't made the way I like (the juice was on the bottom!):)
I was soon escorted downstairs through a very high production kitchen and into a steamy yet decently sized office. I was introduced to a chef (didn't get his mumbled name as he was on the phone) who was wearing a chef coat, shorts(!) and sneakers with at least a 3-day beard, an apparantly rapidly declining hairgrowth and all the looks of a typical frazzled chef. He was very nice to me. Brought me into a typically cramped but relatively orderly "chefs" office. Lots of relevant cookery books (good sign:) ), and lots of Soprano's paraphenelia (?? sign:confused: ). He eyed a few floating fruitflies (bad sign:( ) and killed about 2 outta 3.
Went through my resume, and the folder of documents I brought along (certificates, awards, degrees, articles, digital food photos). He seemed most interested in my background and (?) my computer skills.....(I reminded him 3 times about my excel proficiency, accounting classes, etc..., then the Big Guy walked in.
(Now, mind you, I've done my homework on the guy. Knew that he's been in the Co. for over 12 years and actually started out as a sous chef for one of the group's first restaurants. He also frequently runs marathons. Now, he's pretty big...Not dressed in chef whites...) LATE! Oh well, that's what happens when you're the big guy. He seemed pleasant enough. None of the annoying "Life story" or "Favorite/least favorite/best attributes/worst, etc! Hate that!). He looked at the photos and I could tell it registered. He proceded to grill me with his back turned!!!
After the 4th time he pestered me about my "volume experience" I inwardly snapped a little and basically said something along the lines of "look, pal, and future boss, if you can put out xxx number of made-to-order tasting plates from a choice of xxx dishes in an xxx amount of time, you would KNOW what volume is". I KNOW volume!!
He was very nice to me after that.
Shortly after, he asked me to walk down the block to meet the current chef....(the guy I know). Turns out he wasn't working that night. So I made reservations to eat there that night and made plans to call him the next day....
:chef: :chef:

The Unemployed Chef Chronicles #6 (pt.2)

:chef:
Because I'm too exhausted to give a better presentation, I offer the following email excerpt:

Kloe sounds like it was good, but my favorite part is the friend who eats
only steak and hamburgers! That's awesome! It must be so frustrating for
you....I ALWAYS want to play William Grimes, haha, which is sometimes a
curse if you're out with other "normal" people. I once had a GF who was in
the business but was no fun when dining out, she couldn't stand any "pepper"
or any other "spices" and then she would gobble down her "plain" meal in 5
sec., it would drive me crazy!
Anyway, I had planned on checking it out tomorrow, but now I'm not so sure
because I need to check out the brunch at Park Avalon ("PA" they call it, I
gather Mr. Hanson has acronyms for everything), and then cooking at home in
the evening to practice for the cursed "tasting" if and when it happens.
BUT, my first free date, I will be sure and stop by. Maybe we could go for a
drink there Thurs. Nite?

So my 3rd interview went well...The chef (with whom I'm well acquainted),
recognized me immediately although he wondered at the 50# I'd put on since
we last met (about 5 years ago). He actually remembered me as a "skinny"
guy, which is pretty funny. I told him it was because of the last 2 years
I've spent doing FOH!
He gave me a tour of the kitchen, which is pretty sizable. They have a huge
"line," very well laid out, a butchers room, a prep room, and a huge
receiving area. Altogether, there are 22 kitchen staff including a full-time
butcher, receiver (basically a steward, one who tracks and maintains all the
food product), and 2 sous chefs; heaven!
BUT, you can tell immediately that this is a fairly high-pressure job. The
chef is an extraordinarily calm person, yet I could see his eyes darting
around constantly, and even stuttering a little! He told me that after
Sunday brunch, he walks out mumbling to himself....Numbers are very
important to these people, and they have to make them. He showed me 2 of the
3 inventory and food costing programs they use (and it is all very nice up
to date technology) and revealed that he worked 75 hours last week. Yikes.
Last time I did that I was 23! He did tell me that "normally" he only puts
in 60-65hrs. Oh man.All I can say is that they better have good benefits! So
far, with the exception of the HR person, every "management" person I've met
is going bald! OH NO!!!
Anyway, since then, I have trailed for a 10 hr. shift and endured a 4th
interview with the GM. And still I await further orders....I'll tell you
about that some other time....I guess they like me, but they are SO paranoid
about hiring a freak or a loser they are being super cautious. Sigh...
In the meantime, I received a call from Aramark ( in this case the vendor
for JP Morgan/Chase corporate dining) for the position that was supposed to
be "mine" 4 months ago. Now it doesn't sound as good, but I set up an
interview anyway....



:cool:

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REAL TIME Chef Talk stuff comin' at you as it happens....
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I've never ever worn heels to an interview either, and look at me!;)

Well, but seriously folks, I tend to agree with Brown Sugar on that; why should you have to wear heels? You're a chef for goshsakes!!! If I was interviewing a woman for a cooking position, I would raise my eyebrows if she was wearing pumps!
I would also tend to disagree with the wearing of black, especially in NYC where it seems to be common. Not that I dress for a funeral; may wear a shirt and tie with contrasting colors, but I actually feel more comfortable and "serious" wearing a black suit. I realize that this may vary according to location, and I'm certainly not expert in the wearing of black.
And again, with the heels, if this is truly the situation (where women are expected to wear heels for "chef" positions), I think there should be a revolt! Not only is it presumably uncomfortable for women of the cooking persuasion, but it is murder on backs/spines!
I volunteer to lead this revolt!:eek:

The Unemployed Chef Chronicles #7

:chef:

The 10hr trail....what can I say??

The last time I "trailed" it was for a similar type operation about 10 years ago....

:chef: I got the tour for a few minutes, "watched" for a few more minutes, was asked to make an omelette,
and then, I was ruthlessly thrown upon the mercy of the line......
and I was hired....

:cool:

THIS time,
At least I got to wear chef clothing....

I was introduced to all the cooks, was allowed to taste, poke and prod....
The staff meeting: I was ceromoniously introduced (for what reason? I'm still a very long shot?), and witnessed the Exec. Chef, the GM, and the Corp. Exec. Chef grill and drill the waitstaff over food terminology, ingredients and role-playing the sale of the menu and specials. Wow. Very by the book, but not degrading by any means. I wondered why the Corp. Exec. Chef was there....for my benefit??? He very proudly described the difference between ricotta salata, (regular) ricotta, and parmesean....I noted he spoke with an American Italian accent at which I cringe ("rigooohht," "Mooohzahrellll..."), although even the waitstaff seemed to be aware of the difference!

And then....

I tried to get involved, but there just wasn't much to do....

There were 8 cooks to cover 7 stations, an army of runners and bussers dressed in black and 8 waiters. 300 covers...

I ended up expediteting for all I was worth for a few frantic periods when something was sent back and the chef went behind the line, however, all the runners were fully adept at doing the same thing. I did notice that they didn't worry about wiping the plates very much and I'm not really a big fan of carrying 4 plates at a time in your arms.....
The tardy time lapses that I observed didn't really seem to be noticed by servers or management, and the only real screwup came when it came time to change the paper in the printer. One order got lost and someone waited a LONG time for food. According to the server, that was smoothed over by a dessert on the house....

Better than most operations I've seen, but given the resources available it could be much better. Makes me wonder as a potential candidate......I KNOW that I can improve upon the current setup, and HOW can I get that chance??

Diplomacy (at which I am obviously not great), drive, and ***-KISSING seem to be the modis operandi:chef: :chef: :chef:


I am working on my technique.....:)



I wish all my fellow unemployed brothers and sisters GOODLUCK!!

Comin' at you LIVE

Real Time Real Unemployed Chef Stuff!!!:chef:

There is NO better Source!!:bounce:

What?
Hello?
Oh, Yawn......!
Bollocks! Must of fallen asleep..

NO, Phoebe, I did not get the position, I was relating the LAST time I was actually hired for a position.

After a lengthy interview process, BRguest did not hire me because of my recent lack of volume experience. Oh well.
In the meantime, I interviewed at a place across the street from them that does even MORE volume, however, they hire "kitchen managers" and weren't so worried about my volume experience as they were my attitude about doing "casual fine-dining." Hmmm.

I did accept a position for a multi-unit southwester outfit on the premise that I would be heading all units and opening more. After 6 months I realized that they really just wanted me to save the *** of their one failing unit. That, and their lack of a strong business plan, combined with untruths about the degree to which I would have creative control, led me to resign in an amicable manner.
The initial interview was very casual, and I was hired almost immediately, though there was a 3 month probation (during which time there are no benefits).

The lessons I learned:
1. DON'T rely on gut "instinct" when taking a position. I was personally charmed by the owner, but I should have been more suspicious about his business practices.
2. ASK about a company's business "strategy," philosophy, mission statement, whatever; just get a clear idea of what their goals are and how they hope to achieve them, as you should require of yourself.
Now....I WAS told about the above, however, after about 2 weeks I realized there was NO supporting evidence.
3. RUUUUUN if there is no cohesive or logical business plan. If the operations seem quirky and purely based upon the whims and emotions of an owner, they probably are.
The last couple of straws for me were:
A.During a private party for which we were also open for regular business, the owner decided to step in and "help" me expedite even though we were WAYYY under deadline. He began giving contradicting commands to the line cooks (AND one of my HUGE pet peeves: he was eating, talking with his mouth full and spitting food!). Though I did not lose my temper, I walked away from the line and told him to come get me when he needed me. Mind you, this was
AFTER this had happened more than once and we had discussions about it.
B. He was furious with me for not showing up the day after the blackout so that we could open for business. There was no power, no phone, no subway. I could have taken a car in at an inflated price, but because I couldn't reach anyone, I decided not to.

The money was good, the benefits were good, the hours sucked (6 days a week 60+hrs.), and I had a 1hr15min commute (which is really why the hours sucked).

Another important lesson:
Don't keep a job if you are unhappy, EVEN if you need the money. There is always something better out there.

MY question to you out there:

I have always made it a personal practice to stick with a job in increments of 3mos, 6mos, 1yr, 2 yrs, etc. After, my first 2 weeks with this job, I realized that it may be bumpy, but I thought I'd give it a chance. After 3 mos, I realized that the management was LOCO and that it would be a struggle to right a floundering ship, but I still saw potential and opportunity, EVEN though I wasn't really happy. Up until the last 2 weeks, things improved greatly, but I was unnerved by the loose ethics and business practices of the ownership.
WHEN would YOU bail????????

SOOOOOO,
back to the drawing board. I've had about 7 prospects since then and have accepted one, though it doesn't start for another 2 weeks. In the meantime, I'm hoping a BETTER prospect I've been working with works out. I don't like to do it this way, but I don't see as I have a choice.
My unemployment benefits have run out, although FEMA is still paying my rent and my GF has had a run of successful stints at Azafran, Bruno Jamais and now River Cafe., so money is still really not an issue.

I've done a lot of interviews since then, and hope to share some of those experiences.


Peace to all....:chef: