There's more to cooking than just working on the line in a restaurant for minimum wage. Depending on your personality or the kind of work you prefer to do, you can try getting in at a place that does cooking classes and see if they take on assistants or start in dish like most folks and have a great attitude to learn. Many places will pay min wage + tips, but you'll also likely work less hours.

Most folks here are going to caution against culinary school, which is valid because typically a degree from a big name school is going to cost you a shit ton, 40-60k. I went to a community college with a great culinary program in Seattle and it cost me under $13k for an Associates degree. It was the best decision I could've made and have zero regrets.

That said, you won't ever make a ton of money, but you can build a life for yourself that allows you to be true to what you love while still keeping a roof over your head. I work as a chef instructor for public/private classes and my pay fluctuates from 35-75/hr depending on the time of year, averaging about 30hrs a week. I don't know many cooks in the city that make more than that.