Is anyone a chef or know a chef?
 

My bf reaaaally wants to be a chef. We both originally wanted to move to Albany and go to school there but then he's like why waste 4 years doing something that I don't want to do? So he's thinking of going to Johnson and Whales in Miami, where Emeril Lagazzi went. It's really expensive though, I guess my question is, is anyone here a chef, if you are how do you like it? How did you start out and what school did you go to?? He just doesn't know where to start....any ideas would be great. Thanks everyone!

I have a friend and both of her sons are chefs. They went to chef school and it was very expensive - but they both enjoy their professions. Being a chef is very stressful though, with pretty long hours, and when you start out, the pay is not very good. They live in a smaller town so there are not too many good paying positions - you probably wouldn't have that problem. They have trouble with having benefits too - so many places do not pay benefits. If you are working at a nice restaurant, and you are a good chef, you are going to be working evenings - dinner- so you are not home at night much. But if you are both working evenings, then that could work out. One of them has found a great position that he loves, the other one is still searching - it can be difficult.

Good luck!

Do you know what school they went to by any chance?

My husband thinks he is chef...and I just let him think it too;) . I don't know any real chefs though. I think that would be so great to be a chef, always creating something and how wonderful would it be to be married to a chef...:D lucky you.

I went to chef school, at tx culinary academy. its was like 45 grand... but it only 13 months to get your asso. degree...Its not all cooking! you have to do math, eng., computer class and a lot of other classes too!

Its hard to get started right after school, if you not in the top %. You dont get the chef job right off the bat, either. YOu have to work at the bottom in the kitchen and work your way up! Before he spend all that money for school , he should work in a Kitchen for at lest a month, at a busy restaurant and see how he likes it.... I am not going to lie. It it a stressful job!! if he dose not smoke now.. he might pick it up!! Personally I love seeing some one enjoy what I make. I have my hubbies coworker spoiled rotten! I alway send some little something with him every other day, for every one. I love being in the kitchen cooking...and then when someone takes a bite out of your food and they have that OMG its soo good face.. Its just the best feeling!!

If he really wants to be a chef, then he need to work in a kitchen for a while... see how he likes it. Thats how I 1st started out. If he likes that.. THEN he need to start talking to schools about how they can help him after he is done with school and what all that school has to offer him... He should fine the one that can help him find a job right after. Then from there he can do it on its own. JUst keep working his self up. and he should NEVER feel bad for taking a job else where that pays better...If he is working under a chef, they will understand... That how chefs get there jobs.. they just keep stepping up, till they get where they want.

My best friend who also went to the same school I did. Made B's in all her classes and she is working as a host at a BBQ place now...You have to start form the bottom...so your not going to get that high paying job right after school, like you would in most fields... So he need to make sure he finds the RIGHT school for him.. dont just go to it BC some chef he likes went to it! He need to find a school that fits HIM and will work with him on getting a job right after he is done. The faster he gets in the field..the fast he can work up to the Top Chef job in the Kitchen.

My husband regrets not going to culinary school 20 years ago after high school. He is just one of those "artistic types"..... in everything he does. Cooking is no exception. I think you either have the knack for it or not. In my husband's case, it just didn't seem very "manly" to him at that age so he went a different route but he sure wishes he had done it. I just let him cook for me and it's enough!! ;)