Is San Diego good for a recent culinary grad? (apartment, credit) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

mvales18 · 06-14-2011, 07:58 PM

So I'm a recent culinary school graduate. I currently live in New Jersey and there's not much for me out here in the Baking and Pastry field. I'm looking to relocate and I've found some options, San Diego being one. I'm wondering if anyone can help me, give me some information about San Diego and the food scene and job market. Is there much out there in the pastry field? Preferably bigger companies, hotels, whole foods, and what not. I know they exist but are they looking? Also, say I don't find the job I'm looking for and I take a minimum wage job. Can I afford expenses? Expenses being driving/gas, apartment (rent, utilities), food....the necessities, the basics.

moved · 06-14-2011, 08:42 PM

Check out the hotel and casino websites. If they have any openings, apply for them, and see if you get any interview offers. Even minimum wage jobs are hard to get here right now, and you can't live on one. Don't move here without a job, you'll be in for a rude awakening.

The Button · 06-23-2011, 11:36 PM

SD is service industry town.

If you have the right skills and the experience, its worth a shot.

Clevelandgal · 06-24-2011, 08:22 AM

I have a friend who calculated that if you do not want to live off credit, it takes $17 an hour to have your own modest apartment in San Diego. This was for his situation, but I am guessing this is a pretty good figure. Obviously car costs will be huge. Having a paid off car vs payments would make a big difference.

shmoov_groovzsd · 06-24-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvales18

So I'm a recent culinary school graduate. I currently live in New Jersey and there's not much for me out here in the Baking and Pastry field. I'm looking to relocate and I've found some options, San Diego being one. I'm wondering if anyone can help me, give me some information about San Diego and the food scene and job market. Is there much out there in the pastry field? Preferably bigger companies, hotels, whole foods, and what not. I know they exist but are they looking? Also, say I don't find the job I'm looking for and I take a minimum wage job. Can I afford expenses? Expenses being driving/gas, apartment (rent, utilities), food....the necessities, the basics.

You should look not only in tourist driven Cities, but also cruise ships. To have a career in culinary, its really important to have worked in a hotel environment or under the guidance of a respected Chef. The latter can be more difficult though.

In a culinary career its not necessarily how much time you have put into your younger years, but the quality of time as well. It will really set you up for success later on.

While I think San Diego is on the map for you as a possible destination, if you are from Jersey, I would look into Florida first. Its closer, much less expensive and still has some very well known companies down there. Tourism here has been spotty and downtown SD is really were there is the most volume from conventions etc.

I worked for Disney in a management program for a year down there and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I got my sommelier certification, worked with Food and Beverage Directors and had a blast.
Just having that on my resume when I was pursuing Food and Beverage as a career years ago, was gold. When I got to San Diego getting a job took time, but I wound up working for Hyatt and Hilton. The Disney name just popped out above all the other bs accomplishments I had during interviews.

If you can, there is a program called the Disney College Program. Check it out. This wasnt the program I was on, but I made a lot of friends from this from all over the world. Its priceless not only for your resume but personally.
https://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sa...wcp/index.html

moved · 06-24-2011, 09:55 AM

Cruise ships very rarely hire Americans. They mainly hire foreign nationals, who work for a lot less $$. Also, the OP hasn't been back.

shmoov_groovzsd · 06-24-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moved

Cruise ships very rarely hire Americans. They mainly hire foreign nationals, who work for a lot less $$. Also, the OP hasn't been back.

moved, maybe things have changed since I was last in that industry. I am aware that its a hub for non americans to work and travel.
Perhaps this is for non american cruise ships. I was looking more at the Disney Cruise Line and I am not sure how different culinary staff is compared with deck staff for a US citizen to go on.

true, the OP hasnt returned.

moved · 06-24-2011, 10:15 AM

I worked security at the ship ship terminal here in San Diego for three years. I rarely saw an American citizen working on any of the ships. I'm speaking of the major cruise lines, though, I know nothing about the Disney Cruise Line.

Clevelandgal · 06-24-2011, 11:47 AM

I am open to correction, but I once heard if the ship stays in US ports, it has American crew. I think NCL has cruises that just do Hawaii and this is the case...but also they may have started going to a non american island out there to skirt this. There are some ships out of SD that go to Hawaii. Nevertheless Moved is correct. Americans are rarely employed in the kitchen on major cruise ships. They like to skirt all kinds of employment laws and the hours are brutal. Some guy wrote a tell all about being an American working in the dining room on a carnival ship. He was only able to get the job b/c his girlfriend worked on the ship as an entertainer. They don't really hire Americans in bar/dining/kitchen/cabin steward capacities b/c they can't handle the workload without complaining (that is what this guy said anyway). This leaves officers and entertainment areas for Americans...and I am not sure if I have seen an American officer-they are typically Greek, Scandinavian or Italian depending on the line.

edit, this is the book mentioned above: Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline: Where the Crew Lives, Eats, Wars, and Parties. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships (Travelers' Tales)

moved · 06-24-2011, 02:56 PM

What we consider low pay is a fortune in some of the poorer countries. There was one ship that had a entirely US crew, and they walked off the ship. They refused to handle the workload that the non-citizens would do without complaining.

The ship officers aren't necessary Greek, Scandinavian or Italian, they can be from anywhere. I met lots of officers from the UK, and elsewhere. The medical crew was normally Americans, and for providing their services on the ship, they received either a free or very discounted cruise. Entertainers are also from everywhere, it depends on the needs of the cruise line.