So You Want To Be A Chef?
Are you thinking of going to cooking school? Do you want to know what cooking school is like or do you need to know what high school classes, experience or background will assist you now for a future in the world of cooking? Then ask Kate...
Chef Kate Cole is a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York. Her broad experience covers both front & back of the house. She is a secondary school-to-work teacher, advisor to culinary student competitors and a cooking school instructor.
Ask her a Question, she's here to help!
Questions Received
Im thinking that beign a chef is my calling.
Hi my name is Lisbeth Osorio and have decided to go to a culinary school.
My passion for cooking began when i was about five i believed it was magical for some odd reason, My entire life i have always found cooking relaxing and a way to express creativeness since i always new i had a creative side and cooking was my getaway to create experiment and play. Im inspired with food when i see ingredients i think about them as a way to transform them into unique dishes and love the fact that spices can change the taste and aroma of food before i actually cook something mentally i have already created and finished it im good at eyeing what i put together so i dont over cook or make it to salty some how i get it just right . My question is what skills define a good chef ? and If you can give me any advice in starting my culinary career?
Hi Lisbeth, well your mere words describe the way a good chef would think about food and cooking so you are already looking like you have potential!
To answer your questions, a cook becomes a good or great chef if they have been able to do the following during their training;
Listening, reading, asking questions, working hard, not complaining, experimenting, being a good soldier, following directions, using common sense, understanding that they are cooking for the customer – not for themselves, learning from their mistakes, learning from other cook’s mistakes (less painful) and working hard (yes I said this twice)! Couple these skills with having passion, enjoying the journey and competing against yourself to do better every day and you will have a bright, fun future!
Remember a chef’s training never stops, our titles and responsibilities change but we learn every day!
hi!
What would be a good way to start this chef career? I'm only 15 yrs old...
Hi it's awesome that you know what you want to do once you are out of high school!
My suggestion to you is before you invest in cooking school find a job in a local restaurant to see what life is like in the kitchen, make sure your thoughts and the realities match up...
Read cookbooks, and put your passion to work, read magazines and catch the good cooking shows, learn as much as you can! Decide on how much you can spend on cooking school, find the school that matches your budget, make sure you are on track at high school to get admitted to the cooking school you like. Research scholarships, there are many out there that are up for grabs, most students simply do not complete all the paperwork and therefore miss out on free money!
