I want to train to be a chef!?

Question

I'm 36 and currently work as a business manager. Over the past couple of years I've grown to hate the hum drum of office life and I really want (and need!!!) a drastic change.

When I was 17 I trained as a baker and confectioner I spent 7 years working in a brilliant bakery near where I lived. I even became assistant room manager at the age of 22, which was unheard of not just because of my age but because I'm female! I had to leave my job when I was 24 as I was going through a divorce and I couldn't keep getting my son up at stupid o'clock as he was going to start school.So hands on hard physical work is not an alien concept to me.

I know I could enrol at the same college I did my bakery course at to train but I would prefer to do on the job training as I know I would learn more and be more of an asset.
I love food and cooking and without being big headed I am pretty good at it.
Anyone got any thoughts on this?? Or has anyone got a place that would be willing to take me on??

Answer 1

Hi Nedster,
Go for it girl. My husband trained as a baker when he left school. He went on to train as a builder in his twenties, He had many other jobs in his life; he always loved cooking at home. In his forties he was a merchant seaman working as a steward, after a while he moved to working in the galley, back to his first love; for over two years he did one day a week at college and gained a lot of experience on board with some great people who were willing to help him. We moved to Spain five years ago where he worked in a well known restaurant gaining more experience; he ran the kitchen throughout the day preparing and cooking meals for lunch and dinner, whilst cooking breakfasts for more than 150 people Two months ago he had the opportunity to take over his own kitchen, which he has done; this is something he has always wanted to do. My husband is in his late fifties, so it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I used to be a chef. There are many places that will take you on. It may mean you going back to college, on a day-release basis.
High quaility resturants prefer people to have a basic knowledge of the correct way of preparing sauces, cutting of veg, etc....
As there are people who class themselves as chefs, but they maybe of the cowboy sort.
Find a pub/resturant around your area who serve the sort of food which you would class of a high standard. Ask to see the either the manager or the chef (if possible or make an apointment).
Your bakery experiance will work to your advantage.
Tell them what you want to do. Sell yourself, and convince them that you will be a great asset to them. (offer to bake the bread and cakes every day in exchange for learning other skills).
If they have no current possions available ask for some recomendations of other establishments.

Answer 3

u really dont wanna be training to be a chef....
i was training to be one for 4 years n the money is ****, u have long hrs, no social life and depending on if you get to the stage where your a really really good chef and work in a top resturaunt chances are you prob wont.. no offence...
your just not going to be making enough money compaired to the amount of hours you put in....
y dont u try and go into the managment side of things.... that would be a pretty big change n if u already have business managment experience u would get a job easy as......

Answer 4

Hi,i m a chef ,i work in this job for twenty years i m from roumania i come in England four years ago,before you do this training,is better for you to think to all of good sides and bead sides.If y enjoy cooking is better to do this home ,for example cooking for you family or for small group of people.I m in my 38 i m a female to but, now i m start to be very tired because i stand all day in my feet ,when i go home my legs kill-me,i was gest thinking to get finish with my job .I m a head chef i have work in germany in romania ,in very big posh hotels ,in england and i think is the time. My son is 19 and i don t want to do this anymore.If you want to do this i can give you a telephone nr to a company call ;protocol ,you don t have to pay is, pay by the governament.If you live around in my town i will help you with pleasure .Yours sincerely Flory

Answer 5

allot of colleges run NVQ courses( where i got my level 1 and 2 from) this allows you to cook as well as learn. there is no end of year exam and as soon as you start the course you are given a portfolio to keep up to date where you write up assessments and answer questions based in the area, also this is unit based meaning you don't have to do all units, there's veg and soups and all sorts. enquire in colleges abut this. advice, also enquire about a hygiene certificate, and going further in to level 3, it is possible to combine level 1 and 2 together, but once you gain a level 3 and have a hygiene certificate, no restaurant or hotel should turn you down. good luck in pursuing your dream

Answer 6

i have worked as a chef. the money is poor. you work when everyone else is having fun- fri, sat, sun. split shifts are common and very unpleasant to work, ie start 10am- 3pm then back again 6pm- 11pm.
on the positive side i have found it usefull to travel around.jobs with accomodation can easily be found.
don't know where you are , or if you want to move around. in the uk it is easy to find a chef job with accomodation and training in popular tourist areas-- lake district/ north wales etc

Answer 7

My thoughts are cooking isn't a lazy persons job and you may be down shifting for some time in your money earning abilities to follow your dreams.. but I bet you already know that. So all I say to you is good luck!

Answer 8

Why don't you try the Cordeun Blue? It is a great school and they offer financial aid. They show you everything their is to know about cooking or if you prefer to bake they offer that too. They even give you a place to live if you qualify.

One more thing it is a recognize school.

Answer 9

Send your Cv to the restaurants you like the look of (Menus) and see what happens

Answer 10

if you want you can do what college you want