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What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter the Culinary Arts field?
is there anything important I should do before I try and enter this field.
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4 answers
Updated
Michel’s Answer
Get a job in a kitchen and see if you love it. If you don’t, it’s not the right career choice.
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Robert’s Answer
I would recommend a couple of things to every person looking to enter the Culinary world
1. [Admin suggested edit: Learn another language: Kitchens include people from diverse backgrounds and learning another language can help you better communicate with them. In my case, this was Spanish]
2. ur first jobs in a kitchen will be the least glamorous. I started as a dishwasher. After my shift, I clocked out and stuck around and offered to help prep or even just watched and soaked in all the different aspects of how a kitchen works. Thee is a lot of turnover, so your versatility will help you move up quickly.
3. Before you apply for a job in a kitchen. In no particular order
a. Know the terms for cooking methods such as braise, saute, small dice etc.. Know terms used in a kitchen like mise en place. Get a familiarity of equipment used in a kitchen. Know the hierarchy of the kitchen.
b. Have a decent familiarity of what different food looks like and tastes like.
4. Bring a great work ethic. Working in a kitchen is tough but rewarding.
1. [Admin suggested edit: Learn another language: Kitchens include people from diverse backgrounds and learning another language can help you better communicate with them. In my case, this was Spanish]
2. ur first jobs in a kitchen will be the least glamorous. I started as a dishwasher. After my shift, I clocked out and stuck around and offered to help prep or even just watched and soaked in all the different aspects of how a kitchen works. Thee is a lot of turnover, so your versatility will help you move up quickly.
3. Before you apply for a job in a kitchen. In no particular order
a. Know the terms for cooking methods such as braise, saute, small dice etc.. Know terms used in a kitchen like mise en place. Get a familiarity of equipment used in a kitchen. Know the hierarchy of the kitchen.
b. Have a decent familiarity of what different food looks like and tastes like.
4. Bring a great work ethic. Working in a kitchen is tough but rewarding.
thanks this will help a lot
Gabriel
Hey Robert! Your first point included a big generalization. I've edited that specific point to capture the spirit of what I believe you were trying to say, which is that language can be a barrier, and by learning a new language, you will be able to better communicate. Feel free to edit the response to add some more color.
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Updated
Fabrice’s Answer
I simply suggest that you find someone, may be a friend of your family, an acquaintance or boldly ask a chef of restaurateur to open their doors to you for a few days, weeks. May be after school or some evenings, that way, you will witness it first hand if you have not already. It is a very difficult industry with rewards that only equal the passion that you might pour into it!
Updated
Howard’s Answer
Get a job in a restaurant or hotel. See if you really like doing the work. Start as a bus person, dishwasher, host whatever you can to get in the door.
Then you will see the work and try to pick one or two jobs you like doing. Then keep working at those jobs. Once you what job you like. Look at school to see if you can take classes to learn more about that job and how to do it well. You do not really need a degree. But it can help you understand more and move up faster. Either way, it takes time. You do not go from school to executive chef or general manager. You have to put in the time and work to earn those positions.
Then you will see the work and try to pick one or two jobs you like doing. Then keep working at those jobs. Once you what job you like. Look at school to see if you can take classes to learn more about that job and how to do it well. You do not really need a degree. But it can help you understand more and move up faster. Either way, it takes time. You do not go from school to executive chef or general manager. You have to put in the time and work to earn those positions.