What are some good websites or magazines for the aspiring chef?

Question

I don't want recipes. I want basics on how to become a chef. How to really get involved with cooking. Not how to make potato salad.

Or you could just tell me yourself!

Answer 1

I'd recommend you to read "becoming a chef", is a book somebody from the CIA wrote, its the nice and romantic part of the career, a 100 percent real description of how it really is to be one, is the book "kitchen undercover", from Anthony Bourdain, go directly to the "so, you want to be a chef" chapter...

It is a fun career, however, very hard and, no matter who you cook for, you'll have to live with being "service" as long as you do it.

I did it for 8 years and got to cook in restaurants, hotels and even for important celebrities all around the world... But at 26 I decided to have a new life and now, I do something else. It is nice being able to go to the movies on Friday night and I definitely appreciate not smelling like fish or garlic 24/7 anymore.

The cooking industry will suck your blood and youth... you have no idea.

Now, if you REALLY REALLY want to do it, I'd recommend you to find yourself a part time job as a kitchen helper, the real bottom, before you go and pay crazy cooking schools tuitions. This will give you a real and personal point of view on how the atmosphere is. You dont need any certification, you dont even need to speak english!!! LOL

Many serious job offers all around the world can be found in www.lhotellerie.com . Its a french site but also in english. You could give yourself 6 months to go and give it a try as a "commis chef" in England, France or somewhere exotic. If you're not that adventurous, just go and work at a local restaurant. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Foodnetwork.com, Epicurious.com
Magazines: Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Everyday Cooking with Rachel Ray and Paula Dean Just came out with a magazine.

Answer 3

Gourmet Magazine

They tend to have recipes that are very complex; ingredients equipment that are hard to find.

I used to date a chef and he subscribed to it. I am a "home chef;" I like to cook with stuff I already have and using relatively easy recipes. I hated Gourmet.

There is also another magazine, I think it's called Sauver. Horrendous for home chefs, but awesome for professionals.

While they do have recipes, they will give you lingo and ideas. A home chef doesn't need a recipe that is 4 pages long.

Answer 4

activity Informer, although i visit commence paying for them on the keep as quickly because it runs out because they're continuously damaged interior the mailbox. I only regarded up Sweetwater, that is a funky web site :O Edit: it is extra proper than ever. They redesigned it many years in the past with better high quality paper and a extra aesthetically eye-catching format.

Answer 5

Food and Wine Magazine (and web site)
Gourmet
Recipes.com
America's Test Kitchen

Answer 6

www.acfchefs.org is the website for the american culinary federation. It will tell you how to become a certified chef.

Answer 7

http://www.foodnetwork.com/