I want to be a chef maybe, I have no exp. can anyone give me some pros and cons of the job.?

Question

I watch a lot of food network, especially good eats, but really whatever is on. That comprises my culinary education.

Answer 1

Like the previous answer said there are a lot of pros and cons about being a Chef...
From my personal experience go to culinary school... if you are still in high school and your school has some type of Vo/Tech programs I would say get involved in that, but remember they don't teach you everything there, keep an open mind about learning from anyone and everyone. If you can get a job in a restaurant, especially if it is a mom and pop type of place, you may have to start out as a dishwasher but you can learn a lot and work your way up.
The chefs in places like that are always willing to let you have some hands on experience.
I grew up in the restaurant business... my grandfather was a bar manager in a large restaurant/resort that was very popular(in our area) when I was going up, my mother, aunts and uncles worked summers either waiting tables or working in the kitchen. It takes a special type of person to be able to work LONG HOT days, nights and weekends... you won't be able to go to family reunions, friends weddings or parties.
Your feet will hurt, your back and everything else.
But the reward of cooking food that people love and talk about is great.

If you get a job in a kitchen doing whatever you can and at the end of the day you don't hate it.... it might be for you.

Answer 2

PRO- Great money CON-Long hours
PRO- Fun CON-Not much of a social life
PRO- Tasting new CON-Pleasing customers
culinary delights

There are many pros and cons. You have to work long hours and if you have and love your family then this is a bad thing as sometimes you have to work on the major holidays, but then again, if you don't like family get togethers then this can be a godsend. You are on your feet all day, but then to taste all the culinary delights is good. As you work your up in the kitchen , you will have more of a chance to have better input into the way that the kitchen is run and what goes on the menu.
Working graveyard shifts can be a nightmare and be prepared for many verbal fights and knives being thrown from one end of the kitchen to the other. You get really sore feet and a sore back, but the reward and experience that you get out of being a chef are endless. It is a great career choice, but just remember, if you want to succeed then you have to be willing to put in the hard yards and a lot of effort.

Answer 3

There are a lot of pros and cons about becoming a chef. It can be a very rewarding job. When someone gives you great comments about the food that you made for them can give you the greatest feeling esp when the come back to your restaurant because they loved it so much. The bad part about the job is that it takes a lot of time and effort. You end up working long days, usually 10-12 hours or more. You also have to work your way up to becoming a chef, usually by working other positions in the kitchen like being a prep cook or line cook. If your really that interested in it definitely check out your options. Try getting a job in restaurant or hotel to see how you like it or take some cooking classes. You can also get a degree in culinary which would also help to become a chef because you'll learn a lot of different aspects of the business, like different cusines, knife skills, desserts, etc. It takes a lot of time and dedication and can be very exhuasting so don't do it unless your absolutely sure its something you want to do!

Answer 4

Cons:
You are continuously dealing with extreme heat...even in hot weather.
You have to work under egotistical idiots whom are more likely to sabotage you, especially if you have talent, than help you.
A single bad day can destroy your reputation.
You can be really good, but your ability to make a living depends on *other* people liking your product enough to pay two to twenty times (or more) what they'd pay making at home.
You will be working for 10-16 hours a day, 7 days a week for a *long* time.

Pros:
If you're good, you can make a *very* good living.
If you're good, people will want to come to your place, and may even "spread the news."
A single good day, with the right person in the dining room, can make your reputation.
Once you're set, you have a reliable staff, your workday is minimised - you're there during the "money" hours only.

In all honesty, if you are good, or are talented, you could end-up the next Emirel Legasse(sp)!
However, if that is what you're wanting, remember that the numbers are similar to the ones in pro sports...1 in a million. So, skill or not, you need a lot of luck.

If you're serious, based in North America, and can find a serious chunk of change...enrol in the CIA (Culinary Institute of America.

Answer 5

DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING FAMILY?
PLAN ON HAVING HOLIDAYS OFF?
WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT DIDNT GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL AND ARE BOSSING YOU AROUND?

Being a chef is not easy, you must really love what you do, you work in unconventional enviroments, you will work for a lot of assholes, you will have good and a lot of bad moments, it takes a long time to be a professional chef, being a chef at benigans doesnt count, I'm sorry to say but thats the truth. I love my career, but often people are misled thinking that culinary school makes you a chef, it doesnt. I have worked for a lot of great chefs and some of the best in the country they told me not to go to school but get into some great kitchens, I dont want to say that school is a waste of time, but its not the only way to make to chefdom.
STAGIER, learn this word, before you decide to go to culinary school try to work at the best restaurant you can find, talk to the chef , tell him/her your plans and get cooking. Good luck