So you Want to Become a Chef?

Dear Vickie,

I am a 33-year-old writer and editor who is about to make a dramatic career change: I'm going back to school to learn culinary arts (I have a specific interest and ability in pastry arts) and hope to eventually open my own restaurant!

I'd love to see a nuts-and-bolts article about such an endeavor, or a series of articles on the topic, if you feel it's appropriate for your topic.

Melanie,

Thank you for writing. As for your suggestion about a series of articles about a career change into the culinary world... I'm afraid they wouldn't be the most encouraging articles.

IMHO the food industry is a tough one in which to fulfill your dreams. Many of the great chefs didn't get formal cooking school training, they were trained in the old fashioned French manner... they slaved away working under a professional chef for many years until they felt confident enough to break out on their own. A certificate in professional food (or pastry) is not the traditional manner of getting to the top. Hard work and sweat is. The training only gets your foot in the door, then you have to prove yourself.

If you do get professionally trained there are usually no guarantees for employment. And when you do find a job, the pay will be quite low for the first 3-5 years (or longer depending on where you live) of employment. This is true whether you are on the Pastry or the Food side of the kitchen, working at a little cafe or a high-end restaurant.

Breaking into the food industry takes a huge commitment and the ability to live on very little money for a while. But if you persevere, are good at your craft and make connections, you can eventually land a job you enjoy that pays well.

As for opening your own restaurant... that's another risky endeavor. The majority of new restaurants close within their first year of business. I'd advise you to not only work hard in the food industry but to take classes in restaurant management, restaurant design and business planning. These are all essential for the successful foody entrepreneur.

Restaurants are NOT a big money making industry. They feed the public, but few people (wolfgang puck, emeril, jerimiah tower, and their like) make any real money opening a restaurant. And after all your training, experience and finally opening the restaurant of your dreams... be sure not to let your family and friends eat all the profits! (I'm serious, it happens!)

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