What steps should I take to join the culinary field?

Ashley,

Find people in the industry to talk with.  Find the restaurants you enjoy eating at and ask to speak with the GM and the Chef.

If your school offers culinary program, take it. But that is only the first step. You truly need to work in a restaurant or various restaurants to see if this is actually your calling. I know of so many people who can cook amazing, and then once in the field, cannot perform under the rigorous demands. The demands of the hospitality industry are brutal, yet rewarding.

As an advisor had told me, you will not be celebrating holidays with loved ones and there are many personal sacrifices to be made ( as with any profession).

You will probably begin as a dishwasher. This will teach you to respect the kitchen help you will have in your culinary career and treat all with respect (it did for me). I operate under the premise that I will not anything of my staff that I will not do myself.

Find people in the industry to talk with. Find the restaurants you enjoy eating at and ask to speak with the GM and the Chef.

Hi Ashley,

Great that you are asking the important questions :)

I'd suggest getting an entry level role or internship in the kitchen of a restaurant you like or admire the chef. If you are passionate, hungry to learn and willing to do what it takes, its just a question of communicating that effectively and reaching the decision maker. So walk in, call, eat there and then ask for the chef, whatever it takes to make them notice you!

Good luck,

Alex

The steps can be diffent for everyone. But I would recommend that you find a good resort to work good reputable resort or hotel. You could spend a cew years their and work in so many different aspects of the culinary field. Fos example, I would start in Banquets, Hot and Cold (Garde Manger). You will learn good techniques, batch cooking and set a good foundation for the next move which would be, the restaurant. Work in Breakfast, lunch and dinner. There you could work and learn the different stations, the ticketing system of plate preparation. Then I would move to the Pastry/Baking Kitchen. You could rotate your time if it can be worked out with the Executive Chef, to learn and work your way through the kitchen ranks. It could take you 2 -4 years. About the same time attending a Culinary School with one exception, You will be paid to learn. Finish with no student loan debt. You must be committed and disciplined to do this.

If possible, learn the business side of it also from your Chefs.