Chef Craig Koketsu of Quality Meats is pouring his love into some hash browns
I was speaking with my Grandmother on the phone this past weekend and she said something so striking to me that I couldn’t shake it from my mind. She is always sharing her pride for the leap I made and risks I took to do what makes me happy, but this time she said, “Tara, I think my life would have been so different if I knew how to cook.” I didn’t really know how to interpret that comment at the time. Did she want to entertain more? Be healthier? More independent? Provide a skill to pass down to her children? Have a bigger passion? I think ultimately the true meaning is likely a combination of all of those things.
When I hung up the phone I felt both sadness and happiness. I was sad that my Grandmother had a regret about something so simple, but I was grateful that I won’t carry the same one.
In today’s crazy world it can be hard to see the silver lining, but times like these should force all of us to think about what really makes us happy. For me, it’s clearly cooking. I was fortunate enough to have that “ah-ha” moment at a young age and the support and means to run after my dreams here in New York. I know that isn’t the reality for everyone, and enrolling in an expensive culinary school is not feasible for many people. I went big, but that’s not the only way to do what you love.
As the fall season quickly approaches and the leaves begin to change there is a sense of rejuvenation in the air and a feeling that old feelings and fears can be shed so new and better ones can grow. Now is the time to do your own reflecting and get real with yourself and what you want to accomplish. If cooking is your passion and you want to find a way to make it a bigger part of your life, consider these suggestions below for inspiration. While culinary school can be the ultimate journey for some, don’t let that stop you from going after it.
Cookbook’s
Cookbooks from Julia Child's personal collection
It sounds simple, but studying the ins and outs of cooking—from the basics to the cuisine you most enjoy—can be learned from cookbooks. While you don’t receive the live direction of a chef instructor, the well written books can be a great launch pad. Bookstores today are overwhelmed with cookbooks that highlight quantity over quality, but for getting started and mastering the essentials may I recommend:
Stage in a restaurant
Those who love to cook don’t necessarily want to be cooks in a restaurant, but if it’s something you have considered and want to explore before taking the plunge into culinary school, approach the owner of a restaurant you frequent or admire and ask about assisting in the kitchen for free, also known at a stage. Let them know you’re seriously considering a culinary education and want to understand what it’s like to work in a restaurant first. You may be turned down but keep asking. Free labor is hard to come by and many chefs will jump at the chance for someone to help them with basic prep at no extra cost. You won’t have your hands in too much action, but you’ll be able to observe the atmosphere, labor, sweat, and hard work that goes into it. It might exhilarate you, it might terrify you. Either way, it’s helpful to experience it before making a career-changing decision. Who knows, you might be a quick study and find yourself a new teacher.
Community college or short-term programs
All culinary schools are not created equal and attending a prestigious program like the one I did at The French Culinary Institute is not for everyone, especially if you live outside of New York City. Many community colleges offer culinary programs at a fraction of the cost and can provide you with a solid skill base. Culinary schools also offer short-term essentials programs that can set you up with the skills you need to get started and may be all that you need to break into the business. The most important thing to keep in mind with all of these programs is to do your homework. Research the school’s reputation, practices, and graduates to ensure they are in line with what you’re looking for.
Catering/private chef work
If you’re someone who loves to entertain and cook for friends and family but don’t want to cook in a traditional restaurant setting, pursuing a career as a caterer or private chef might be of interest to you. However, this is one of those paths that sounds glamorous but is an incredible amount of work and requires a great deal of business acumen. I would suggest you look for part-time work on the weekend or evenings with a local caterer or ask someone you know who does private chef work if you can help them with prep, shopping, etc. Seeing what they do first hand will give you a better idea of what’s involved and will allow you to ask questions about the business side of things.
Event volunteering
The Grand Tasting Village at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Volunteering at food-centric events can be a great way to explore nontraditional career paths in the culinary world. Events provide an opportunity for front of house work, culinary prep and serving, product promotions, and logistical operations. Keep tabs on events that are coming up in your area and reach out to event organizers or volunteer coordinators to see where you could be of help. Some events will provide freelance paid opportunities, while others will be volunteer-only. These events provide you with a chance to network with chefs, restaurateurs, event planners, caterers and more, and can also fulfill your culinary aspirations if what you’re seeking is more of a hobby.
Connecting current career to food-related business
When you think about the food industry it is so much more than just restaurants. In most food-related businesses there is a need for a number of positions that don’t work with food directly. Whether it’s sales, accounting, operations, or marketing you can blend your passion for food with your current career aspirations by seeking a similar position. These businesses are not only seeking people with skills in their area of expertise, but with enthusiasm for the end product.
School lunch programs
One of the hottest topics right in the food world right now is the state of school lunch programs in our public schools. There are a number of nonprofit organizations and parent groups that have taken it on as their mission to improve the quality of food being served to children and are even getting in the kitchen to make a difference. Wellness in the Schools is a great example of a nationwide group making a difference. They are frequently in need of people to assist with culinary classes and lunch program activities on both a paid and volunteer basis. If you are passionate about education and food, getting involved with a group like this could be a great fit.
Community food groups
On an equally important scale, hunger-related issues in this country are sadly growing by the day and the number of children and adults who go hungry are staggering. Soup kitchens and food banks are needed more than ever and their growing demand requires an increased need for volunteers. There are opportunities to cook and prepare meals for families, solicit community businesses for donations, and organize fundraisers. Organizations like Share our Strength and Food Bank for New York City provide an outlet for giving back through a love for cooking and feeding others.
Culinary school
The ultimate destination for those who are serious about cooking for a living is culinary school. I am of course biased on this subject and am a propionate of a formal education for those that want to learn in a concentrated environment. Defending the investment is an entirely different post and specific questions regarding where to go and why are something I’m always happy to answer, but the most important thing I can touch on here is to again, do your homework and make sure that the quality of what you will learn matches up to both the time and financial investment it requires. Taking part in any of the above activities should be done in advance to ensure that culinary school will be a means to the end you are seeking.
Have any other suggestions for keeping your culinary passions alive? I would love to hear from you and keep adding to this list!
Tara O'Keeffe