Culinary Arts school isn't going to happen. The program costs a whopping 42,000.00 which is comparable to what Russell is paying for his MASTERS in Software engineering! During the interview I was given a tour of the facilities and there were active classes in process. The admissions rep showed me details of what each class was working on and I was very disappointed to find out that I already knew how to do what they were teaching in each one. Even the advanced classrooms where the advanced students were, didn't present me with any kind of challenge. She said I would learn French cooking techniques...I already know them. She said I would be able to create my own recipes...I do that all the time. She said I would learn the art of sauce making....yep got that one down...
After much probing, the most the school would be able to teach me is the business end of managing and or owning a restaurant but even still, the enormous price tag isn't worth it considering how competitive the market is and the failure rate of restaurants. Plus after researching the standard industry for pay, it's obvious that if you don't own a successful restaurant you are not going to make much money. The bottom line is anything I do for a living has to earn decent money especially if I'm going to shell out big bucks for the education.
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That must have been very disappointing! If all they can give you is the business end of restaurant management type stuff, couldn't you pick up those classes at a tech school or community college for 1/5th the price?
On the other hand, you've got the cooking skills down pat! WOW!
That is a thought...and might be worth checking into. But again, the bottom line(money to be made)isn't very good if you are not a huge hit and the competition is extremely tough. But I might still check into the types of classes offered at the local community college just for kicks.
What about the catering industry? Low overhead, prepare in your own kitchen, book events out of your home, etc...only real expense would be some $$$ spent on marketing. No classes to take, etc...just need a first few clients and then referrals from those people to keep going. Some money might be spent on larger cooking utensils and whatever is needed to transport food to the event.
$42,000!?!?!? Holy mother of fuck. For that price, you'd better get your own Food Network show on the back end.
$42,000!?!?!? Holy mother of fuck. For that price, you'd better get your own Food Network show on the back end.
That's what I thought! I've always wanted my own food show...
As for starting a catering business I've given it consideration in the long ago past. No way would I be able to pull it off out of my own kitchen though. I'd need a commercial kitchen to be able to handle large scale volume such as weddings etc...and all that costs lots of start up...
There is one other thing I might consider before giving up on the chef idea completely. I've been reading about private chefs and that could be an option for me. I could start it on a small scale and just grow into it.
For that price you could move to Australia and still pay less. Sheesh.
As for your own show, your hubby there, is something of an internet TV host hint hint!
what is a "private chef"??
I'm shocked! The program I looked into in Portland was somewhere around $10K. That was still a bit much for me, mostly since like you, I already know how to cook well, so WTF?
I think the personal chef thing sounds interesting. And I totally agree about the catering, I've been in your kitchen and although it is totally functional for cooking family meals, there is no way you could prepare for large groups.
Well, I'm sorry this turned out to be a bummer. But that seems to be life these days. You fork out mondo cash for a program that can't get you a decent paycheck at the end! Your so creative though, you'll figure something out that makes you money and you enjoy. I keep hoping to stumble across that thing as well!
Here mom, go here and you can read up on what a private chef is...
http://www.personalchefsnetwork.com/
Another avenue I might explore is teaching folks how to cook. True I don't have a fancy school or anything...but there are bound to be individuals out there who would like some cooking lessons in their own home...
The teaching people how to cook would I think suit your personality. Overheads would be small, would you need insurance?
My sister tells me she doesn't think I would find enough business doing that. So who knows...this whole process is so frustrating.
You could always put up a poster in the grocery store with your name and contact info. to see what kind of interested responses you get. Also make contact with local shops selling specialty food prep items and see if they have a place for you to put up a poster or now of people who might be interested.
referrals
word of mouth
:-)
Posters cost nothing but time and some printer ink, they don't have to be spendy, just eye cathching.
Good ideas Fiery...it couldn't hurt to try it and see.
Another idea is to contact local homeschooling groups.
Offer parent/teen cooking classes whether one-on-one or small group as way to bond with teen and give important lifeskill beyond mac-and-cheese, hotdogs, and frozen pizza.
HOLY CRAP!
Take the money and open a restaurant.
One of the bloggers I read has been a personal chef. www.theoasisofmysoul.com is Ara's address. He has an email link and may be receptive to a question or two.
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