Posted by Lisa on June 18, 1998 at 19:03:22:
In Reply to: Want to be a chef! posted by Jax Gibson on May 24, 1998 at 15:37:51:
: Hello:
: I am really interested in studying to become a chef. I live in Colorado Springs. If anyone knows of any good Culinary program in this area please e-mail me and let me know. Any information to get me started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
: Jax
So nice to see a posting from someone in Colorado! I live in Denver and have recently enrolled at The Colorado Institute of Arts
School of Culinary Arts. It seems to be a pretty respected choice. I wasn't sure but I took a chance. I don't have the option
of moving to another area to attend school and was pretty much stuck in CO. There aren't many programs here, but a friend who
graduated from CIA in NY told me this was a good school and the chef at the catering company I'm (hopefully!) going to work for in
the meantime seems to think highly of the program as well. Call Cathryn Prickett @1-800-275-2420 for admissions info. They have
wonderful open houses, too! They are also introducing a 4-year Bachelor's program that places emphasis on Management and Business
after the initial hands-on training. I am so excited to start (Oct 5 class) I can barely contain myself! I made a major switch after
quite a lot of soul-searching and alittle "real world" experience. The "sensible" thing for me to do was go to college, become a teacher,
blah, blah, blah. I was so unhappy and didn't figure it out until now (I'm 23) and having waisted thousands on private school and lots of
time doing what I could never truly find satisfaction doing. It's tough, but keep a positive attitude and don't be afraid to approach
chefs in the business. They are a great source of information, encouragement,...jobs! Be prepared for a reality check, but if it suits you
you'll love it! Good luck! And don't forget to read "Becoming a Chef" (Andrew Dornenberg?) and definitely get a job in the industry--any
job. Lots of catering companies, restaurants, country clubs, bakeries offer summer positions FT or PT. Don't bother witht he classifieds--just go in and
talk to the chef! Someone will give you a break if you're serious and willing to work your butt off!