Posted by jl on April 23, 1997 at 09:41:08:
In Reply to: Re: How to become a trainee posted by Michael Ledwith on April 22, 1997 at 01:41:24:
:
: : I Am 17 and would like to be a chef.
: : In South Africa you need to join a group as a
: trainee chef before you can go further, however,
: to become a trainee you need a years experience.
: : Whenever you apply to a Hotel or group, they say
: they take only candidates with experience.
: : I am now entirely confused as it seems a vicious
: circle.
:
: Denise,
: You need to find a restaurant or hotel with a chef
: that is willing to train you. Possibly your first
: year will be peeling perfect carrots, potatos and
: onions. I think the problem is that you just
: haven't found the right situation. Alot of the
: people I work with now are trained in the Michael
: Method of doing things simply because they had no
: experience. Frankly I'd prefer to train and mold a
: persons kitchen skills to my likes, as long as
: they were truly intrested in learing.
: Keep looking you find a niche.
: Michael
My career started when I showed up at a kitchen at about 6am.
I hung around until the Exec Chef came to work. I was ready to work RIGHT then. In uniform with a couple of knives. I convinced the Chef " I could do any job I was shown".
Every Chef needs loyal new young culinarians.
Go to your local chefs meetings and try to meet some chefs.
#1 RULE----- Avoid everyone accept the Exec Chef. Only talk to the Exec of that kitchen
DON'T BEG or SELL YOURSELF SHORT.
Quality people produce quality food.