Episode #03 Top Five: Five Things to Know Before Becoming A Chef

Contrary to popular belief a career as a chef is not as glamorous as the food network makes it out to be. If you've thought about pursuing a career in the Culinary Arts, consider these five things, Jamie (our guest for this episode) would want it that way.

#5. It's not like the food network - The food network seems to glorify the job of being a chef. It's not like that. If you screw up, you're going to hear about it all night. If you do a really good job, chances are that you aren't going to hear about it at all.

#4. The pay is shitty for the most part - Most line cooks and chefs average about 10-13 dollars an hour. Make sure it's something you love to do because you're probably not going to make millions doing it.

#3. The Hours are long - There also opposite of what the majority of the rest of the world is working. When they're on their way home or going out to dinner, you'll be the one cooking it. On holidays while they're enjoying the day off and relaxing with friends and family - you'll still be working.

#2. You're going to get abused - Kitchens are hot. Knifes are sharp. And yes, most chefs have an attitude. Have thick skin. (literally and figuratively)

#1. It's extremely monotonous - Can you handle making the same sandwich over and over again, 20 times a day, every day? For the majority of the time, you're not going to be trying out all those new recipes that you've found exciting on pinterest. You're going to be serving the same dish over and over and over and over.


The bottom line is, if you want to be a chef, go for it. But before plunking down thousands of dollars for culinary school or quitting your office job to go work in a kitchen, know if it's right for you.