Culinary school vs. working for experience... (Portland, Albany: where to stay, rent, student loan)

[babysmyles]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone with some experience about this subject can help me out.

I am thinking of attending culinary school in PDX (OCI). Beautiful facility. Problem is, is it worth the $$ if most of the restaurants in town (according to craiglist postings) want to hire a cook "with experience?"

I have work experience in the office field only. Private chef, but nothing commercial. I would be single, 30's and renting a place. Any recommendations on where to stay near OCI in SW and/or different points of view that maybe I am not seeing here as a solution to my "problem?" Any insight or words of wisdom would be great. I guess my questions are... can a person do school and work part time while renting and paying student loan payments? Or would "working my way up" be more practical, pay rent plus learn as I go? Ideas? Thoughts?

Thanks for reading me!

[karlsch]

First work in a restaurant, even if it's a flunky job. Find out if you like it and at the same time find out what it really takes to be a chef.

Then make the culinary school decision.

Restaurant work can be difficult and extremely stressful.

I had a very close relative who was very successful in the restaurant business. In fact, he became a millionaire. But he was extremely talented in many ways, including customer relations (they loved him), and was willing to work 70 tough hours a week.

[babysmyles]

When you say "flunky" job I'm assuming you mean like a dishwasher or anything?

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by babysmyles

When you say "flunky" job I'm assuming you mean like a dishwasher or anything?

I really should not have said "flunky," because washing dishes, bussing tables, etc., are all important jobs in a restaurant, especially when it gets busy. The people who do these jobs are not flunkies.

But if that's the only type of job you can get, do it.

I used to do these jobs in the summer when I was going to school.

Before I paid a lot of money for culinary school, I would want to make sure that restaurant work is for me.

[Dogmama50]

Work in a restaurant first, especially if you are a woman, the kitchen can be a fairly harsh place. Many chefs hire apprentices and pantry cooks without a lot of experience and for not much money. A good work ethic, the desire to learn and no attitude can trump many others looking for work. Be sure you know your mother sauces, have good knife skills and work clean, know the chef's resume and why you want to learn from them. Who you work for can shape your entire career, they can help network you to other chefs and offer valuable guidance.

[Haley James]

You've gotten some good advice. There's really no down side to working in a restaurant first and getting practical experience in the field to find out if it's truly the career for you.

[howardsgirlfriend]

I'm curious: why does this line of work interest you?

[_TwentyTwenty_]

Originally Posted by howardsgirlfriend

I'm curious: why does this line of work interest you?

I'd always believed that if you enjoy doing something so much, why not get paid for it Especially if babysmyles likes to cook and entertain people. By the way, thanks for both excellent question and suggestions. I'll tell my girl-friend about this since she wanted to become a chef.

[EnricoV]

My niece was headed the culinary school route back in high school (she's deviated since then). Her adviser said that there were community school programs just as good as the high-priced schools (but probably much less prestigious on a job application. Linn-Benton Community College (in Albany) and Clark College (in Vancouver) were the ones he recommended.

Incidentally, while he was the adviser for the High School program, in his earlier career, he founded Moonstruck Chocolate. So he does have the background to talk.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Enrico

My niece was headed the culinary school route back in high school (she's deviated since then). Her adviser said that there were community school programs just as good as the high-priced schools (but probably much less prestigious on a job application. Linn-Benton Community College (in Albany) and Clark College (in Vancouver) were the ones he recommended.

Incidentally, while he was the adviser for the High School program, in his earlier career, he founded Moonstruck Chocolate. So he does have the background to talk.

I was one of the first people to sell Moonstruck Chocolate when they offered it at the souvenir stand at Portland Center Stage. Everyone went absolutely nuts over it.

Small world!