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Is being a chef stable job?
I am curious if being a chef would get me a stable life.
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7 answers
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hay Felix, You came up with a grown up word relating to being a chef. Stability can be reached in this field once you have earned the title as a chef. Getting to become a chef is the tricky part of your question. You will have a lot of instability as you clime the ladder or the ranks of kitchen positions. I went through it for about 10 years before i truly felt stable and confident that i can control my stability where ever I went to work. A solid reputation in the business will make it much easier to become stable. With great experiences and solid work habits and most importantly the love of cooking will get you there faster. Stability also means you can almost demand your salary where ever you go . Good luck and if your serious about cooking , you'll be just fine.
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Hi Felix,
Your life will be anything but stable for a few yrs as you come up thru the ranks.
It's a long road, and you need to be dedicated, have the passion for cooking, and willing to forgo weekends and family time.
You should not stay in one place for to long so you can keep growing and learning from different Chef's.
There are so many different roads you can take in the Hospitality Field as a Chef.
Restaurants, Hotels, and County Clubs. Healthcare, Senior Living, Private Chef..
The list goes on!
Once you get your feet under you and some experience, Go into Contract Food.. That is your best bet for a stable life.
Hope this helps!
Matt
Your life will be anything but stable for a few yrs as you come up thru the ranks.
It's a long road, and you need to be dedicated, have the passion for cooking, and willing to forgo weekends and family time.
You should not stay in one place for to long so you can keep growing and learning from different Chef's.
There are so many different roads you can take in the Hospitality Field as a Chef.
Restaurants, Hotels, and County Clubs. Healthcare, Senior Living, Private Chef..
The list goes on!
Once you get your feet under you and some experience, Go into Contract Food.. That is your best bet for a stable life.
Hope this helps!
Matt
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Hi Felix,
Becoming a chef does create some stability: if you are able to cook well and you develop a reputation for being hard-working, you will always be able to find a job.
Keep in mind that cooking is an extremely physically demanding job and you typically work with a team that will expect you to work as hard as them.
If you enjoy cooking, you don’t slack off (even when you’re tired), and you are willing to grow and learn constantly, then becoming a chef could be a fulfilling and stable career choice.
Becoming a chef does create some stability: if you are able to cook well and you develop a reputation for being hard-working, you will always be able to find a job.
Keep in mind that cooking is an extremely physically demanding job and you typically work with a team that will expect you to work as hard as them.
If you enjoy cooking, you don’t slack off (even when you’re tired), and you are willing to grow and learn constantly, then becoming a chef could be a fulfilling and stable career choice.
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Felix, stable is a relative term depending on your threshold for ebbs and flows of the industry and your capacity to withstand and survive under adverse circumstances(the hours, working weekends and holidays and so on) because you trained yourself to weather the ups and downs. Find a place that develops staff, has internal advancement and training opportunities and find well-respected mentors. This will guide your career in the right upward trajectory.
Being a chef can provide lifelong global employment opportunities but how you manage your career is key. One thing to be mindful of is longevity is stability. Try to stay at places and learn to endure adversity and conflicts that might arise and otherwise might have you looking to leave. New employers are more likely to invest in someone who has demonstrated they can deal with adversity. Imo, longevity, being well-trained in a booming field and being on the right trajectory are "stable."
Being a chef can provide lifelong global employment opportunities but how you manage your career is key. One thing to be mindful of is longevity is stability. Try to stay at places and learn to endure adversity and conflicts that might arise and otherwise might have you looking to leave. New employers are more likely to invest in someone who has demonstrated they can deal with adversity. Imo, longevity, being well-trained in a booming field and being on the right trajectory are "stable."
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hi Felix,
I haven't been a chef myself, but I've worked in many restaurants and have had many friends working in the kitchen. It's generally easy to find work as a chef - restaurants are almost always hiring. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
1) Becoming a chef takes a significant amount of training. Some kitchens may be willing to hire and train you, but most chefs go to culinary school.
2) Restaurant cooking is an extremely demanding career. The hours can be long and strange, and the pay is often quite low. You also need to be willing to work within a fairly rigid hierarchy.
3) Chefs often start making low wages. It may take some time for you to make enough money to live comfortably, and your hours will always be a little strange.
That being said, many chefs are extremely happy with their career choices. If cooking, being precise, and creating works of art that literally sustain other people speaks to your soul, you should try it out. I recommend trying to get a summer job in a kitchen to see if it's a good fit for you.
I haven't been a chef myself, but I've worked in many restaurants and have had many friends working in the kitchen. It's generally easy to find work as a chef - restaurants are almost always hiring. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
1) Becoming a chef takes a significant amount of training. Some kitchens may be willing to hire and train you, but most chefs go to culinary school.
2) Restaurant cooking is an extremely demanding career. The hours can be long and strange, and the pay is often quite low. You also need to be willing to work within a fairly rigid hierarchy.
3) Chefs often start making low wages. It may take some time for you to make enough money to live comfortably, and your hours will always be a little strange.
That being said, many chefs are extremely happy with their career choices. If cooking, being precise, and creating works of art that literally sustain other people speaks to your soul, you should try it out. I recommend trying to get a summer job in a kitchen to see if it's a good fit for you.
Updated
Donald’s Answer
It depends on what restaurant, airport, resort, or hotel that you work at.
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
Hello Felix,
The answer is not precise.
The pursuit of possibly becoming a Chef is not an easy path. It takes discipline, drive, endurance and creativity among other skills that you can possibly learn along the way. The potential of being in a stable position professionally depends on your training, and your ability to manage all the subtle things that a chef must be. Part of gaining vast experience is working in a variety of venues which can mean instability. If you can get basic skills/technique mastered, then you can potentially get a good foothold in a reputable food operation and continue your pursuit of chefdom. Keep your eyes and ears open to everything going on around you in every kitchen that you set foot in. These observations become part of your "Kitchen Sense". Stay true to yourself and put quality and consistency at the top of your priorities.
The answer is not precise.
The pursuit of possibly becoming a Chef is not an easy path. It takes discipline, drive, endurance and creativity among other skills that you can possibly learn along the way. The potential of being in a stable position professionally depends on your training, and your ability to manage all the subtle things that a chef must be. Part of gaining vast experience is working in a variety of venues which can mean instability. If you can get basic skills/technique mastered, then you can potentially get a good foothold in a reputable food operation and continue your pursuit of chefdom. Keep your eyes and ears open to everything going on around you in every kitchen that you set foot in. These observations become part of your "Kitchen Sense". Stay true to yourself and put quality and consistency at the top of your priorities.