How do you start a cooking career with little to nothing money?

Question

I have a close friend whose confused of what kind of college he wants to go to, and sometimes he says its just not possible for him. I know people who always find a way, but how can he go to cooking college and pay for it? What about influencing some sort of starting point? Btwy he is a senior in high school.

Answer 1

To start, he should get a job in food service.  A lot of cooks start at the bottom, dish washer, and move up from there.  It will show him the reality of the professional kitchen and it actually pays money that he can save to go to school - or not.  some of the finest chefs in this country and the world never sent to cooking school.

Answer 2

I agree with the other postee for him to get a job in the cooking field and seeing if that's really a career that he wants to pursue.  If he already has such a job, perhaps look at the county vo-tech school, community colleges or state uni.  Please steer clear of those private $$ career schools.

For general career info:  http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'chefs, cooks' or such.  Just a bit of trivia that the term 'sous' as in sous chef is pronounced 'sue' ;)

Answer 3

Check the state college, here in NY the some state colleges offer culinary arts degrees.  He will pay like every other student.  College loans.  Suggest he get a job in a small family run restaurant and discover while being paid, is this for him.

Answer 4

IT career-http://myitcareer.info/