So you want to become a chef?

» sckaroly - Do you have a college degree?

Hi Melanie:

Have you considered Johnson and Wales? They have a program at the Denver campus called Garnish Your Degree. It's designed for non-traditional students who already have a BA or BS in any field.

It's pricey and you have to relocate to Denver for the year-long course. I've considered the course, but money, family, etc., have made me think twice.

Another option is the personal chef industry, which you can enter without formal training. All you have to have is a passion for cooking and some business sense. Check the American Personal Chef Association's website at http://www.personalchef.com .

-- posted by sckaroly

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» Vickiemc - Re: Do you have a college degree?

Steven,

I hadn't heard of the Johnson and Wales program. Interesting.

As for the personal chef area... you found my secret! That's the path I'm trying to take right now (working on credential stuff).

Thanks for the insight!

Vickie

-- posted by Vickiemc

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» sckaroly - Re: Re: Do you have a college degree?

In response to message posted by Vickiemc:

Have you joined one of the associations? If so, which one? If you haven't yet, email me privately.

-- posted by sckaroly

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» nini000 - Re: Re: Do you have a college degree?

In response to message posted by Vickiemc:

hi, I have a collage degree from Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island(associates). I spent 18 mounths there. I enjoyed it very much(It is a very hard cource) a lot of reports to do and they ask you to type your notes and hand them in. If you love cooking then go it is worth it. nini000

-- posted by nini000

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» Vickiemc - Yes a good solid course of study is a great way to feel ready fo

Yes a good solid course of study is a great way to feel ready for the job. Johnson and Wales has been around for a long time, they know what their doing!

-- posted by Vickiemc

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» boardermom - cook titles

I seem to be a bit confused on the positions in the culinary brigade. I have recently graduated from a culinary school and the executive chef told me to apply for a position as a 3rd cook. I have submitted my resume to serval hotels/restaurants. I did get a reply for a hotel position as a 3rd cook , but it states that they wanted someone with red seal, 3-4 years experience. So my question is, is a 3rd cook position not suppose to be entry level, seemly that I just graduated
Could you please give me a brief description on the following, what each one does or is, so that I will know what I am applying:

Line cook
short order-cook
3rd cook
2nd cook
1stPlsok

Pls help with this.

Thank-You

Shirley

-- posted by boardermom

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» Vickiemc - Re: cook titles

Shirley,
There are traditional titles that a large hotel staff may use to distinguish it's workers, but in America, each one is different.
As I've said before, an education in cooking does not get you a high level position. It gets you a foot in the door and an opportunity to work as hard as you can to impress the executive chef and other kitchen staff.
That being said, I think we can safely say that:
The third cook is low man on the totem pole. Second cook would be a bit higher up. A first cook is head of the cook line, but not quite a line leader.
A short-order cook refers to a cook who works a grill, fryer and other equipment to quickly turn out meals - a diner cook comes to mind.

With your education I'd say a 3rd cook would be a good place to start. Your education would take the place of the 3-4 years experience... if you can talk your way through the interview!

Good Luck Shirley - let us know how iVickie!

Vickie

-- posted by Vickiemc

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» youngcook - Hello um i am in high school and i love cooking and im taking cl

Hello um i am in high school and i love cooking and im taking classes and im gonna go to Le Cordon Blue sorry i dont know how to spell it but i have to do a report on what i have to do to become a chef and i dont know exactally where to start and also i any one would happen to know what r the levels you have to work on before u can become and full time chef liek what jobs would you have to do and know how to do before u can be a chef?

-- posted by youngcook

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» karthik316_1999 - Career Help

Hi!I am from India and i would like to start off as a chef.In our country,we a "BACHELOR DEGREE
IN SCIENCE" (B.Sc in HOSPITALITY AND HOTEL ADMINISTRATION)and i am about to join this 3-YEAR course.Is this degree sufficient for joining star hotels as a chef or "is this degree meant for those opting the front office operations?" which i don't want to persue...
Or should i further study courses like Diploma in FOOD PRODUCTION,FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE,etc.If not,then what are the above mentioned courses meant for?
Please advise the exact degree to be obtained to become a chef.I am very confused...

-- posted by karthik316_1999

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» buzz6321 - Re: Career Help

Hi: I suppose you are all aware of sites like this but I found this site to be helpful http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools...

-- posted by buzz6321

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