I have been reading the professional chef by the CIA. Going over some chapters that I find more useful than the others as I am not experienced.
So I staged at Fork in Old City with Chef Eli Kulp. NYC chef who moved to Philly for the job. Great chef.
This was probably 8-10 months ago and I was a completely different person with different ideals and goals at that time. I was younger in a mental psyche kinda way. I have really found my way in the past year and developed a lot of character and vision. But, to answer your question of what happened... I just didn't show up anymore. I was physically tired and didn't know if it was for me.
So looking back on it, it was one of the biggest mistakes I have made. I could have possibly gotten a job from it and been a lot better off now. I could have gained valuable experience that I need now.
But I made this post because I moved to NYC for this sole reason. I am very driven now. I know where I want my career path to go. Back then I was dilly dallying and not looking at the big picture.
For instance I moved here a week ago. I transferred my job (Whole Foods- Bakery) They scheduled me for overnight shifts. I worked one night, said to myself hey I didn't come here to bake and put frozen food in an oven, I came here to learn, expand and develop serious culinary knowledge. So I quit after my first day. (kind of a reoccurring problem I have ha ha.) But that night put things into perspective for me. Like I said I want to be a cook not a baker. The only reason I decided to transfer was to have a steady income. I told myself before moving that I would leave Whole Foods once I got situated in NYC and found a kitchen job. But I have $12,000 saved up to stabilize myself for at least a year, which is how long my lease runs. So I said to myself this is the time to do it. Work your ass off, show enthusiasm and motivation to chefs and someone will throw me a bone. It may be a dirty lousy bone. But, I am an infant newborn in the profession. I have to take what is given to me and fight for better opportunities. If I can train for free, it'll be my schooling.
So I have spent a lot of my time inquiring about jobs on craigslist, mentioning I will stage and work for free. This week I am going into Manhattan and hitting as many restaurants as I can daily til I get some bites.
I already had one sit down with a chef and he offered me a night of training, even after I told him I had no formal experience blah blah blah. Ultimately he called me back telling me he filled the position before I could train, but I still found it as promising that the first chef I went to speak to about a position saw my desire and motivation to learn and was going to give me an opportunity. He also mentioned he'd keep me posted if anything opened up.
So all in all, I am in a trialing time in my life and in my career path. But I feel like I am in the right city and personally ready for everything coming my way.
