What is the best advice for someone wanting to be a cook or work in the Culinary Arts?

I am going to try to be as unbiased as humanely possible. All of us, though we are in the food industry, may have extremely different beliefs/views on what is the best advice for a person who's interested in the culinary arts. Before you acknowledge any of us or follow our advice you have to figure out what path you want to follow in culinary arts. Whether you wish to work in a hotel or a restaurant (for example ) or even become a research assistant. All of this matters in the pursuit to be the best "cook" you can possibly be. Not everyone goes to school, I did, because it was difficult for me to get into the field for my lack of knowledge and experience. Many of the restaurants i was interested in working at, I didn't have the credentials for. I thought school would give me a great foundation of basic knowledge, you don't learn everything but you learn how to find the answer which is much more important. I don't come from an extravagant upbringing, but a great deal of the top schools have financial assistance. The greatest gift that I recieved from school was the networking, in this industry who you know goes a long way. It is about skill, but networking will never harm you. When I started I emulated the career of chefs I greatly admired and respected. All I can tell you, is to never give up, never sacrifice your dignity for any "chef" and always bet on yourself. I look forward to hearing about you one day.

Jayzon,

The best person at anything puts the work into their craft. Whether you are a student, cook, dishwasher or prep person be the sharpest tool in the tool kit. It will make you stand out and the Chef will notice you for your hard work. Most chefs reward good employees with special projects and one on one training.

If you can stand out and be a tool for the chef the chef will invest time and energy into and that is worth more than the money you make. Mentor-ship from a chef is priceless.

Remember Jayzon, doing the work means doing what your told when your told to do it. That's the hardest part! ;) Be confident, respectful and always show your passion.

When you love what you do it never feels like work! You don't need to go to a fancy cooking school, plenty of collages have culinary programs do what you can afford. Let your talent shine by being the best at doing !

Lastly, be fearless with cooking. enjoy the freedom of learning and remember one day you will be the trainer. Treat your chef the way you want to be treated and one day someone will do the same for you!

Hope I helped you, good luck!

Chef Rosie Romo

Go to the C.I.A. this is the Culinary Institute of America

You've got to practice, practice, practice! Get a job in a kitchen and try out all of the stations- make pastries, sauces, vegetables, everything you can. Check out colleges or trade schools in your area that offer culinary classes- it never hurts to have formal education in this competitive field. When you are at home, cook meals for yourself, your roommates, your family, complete strangers, whomever, and try different techniques and master different skills. Then go out and start interviewing. Good luck!