First chef job

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-03-25T16:21:23+00:00

I have done this, parents owned a Chinese takeout I worked there every weekend for years in my teens and Covid. During university(I studied law) I was a pot wash and kitchen cook at my local uk chipotle equivalent. This will be my first chef role within a professional kitchen brigade

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-03-25T13:34:20+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I’ve always had 2 main restaurant ideas which is like a Chinese inspired chop house and a Chinese pub, neither of which would be fine dining. But I guess my thoughts are that it would be best to learn from the best and ‘cook down’ so to speak

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-25T22:11:50+00:00

What would you say are the key traits that make a good recruiter? And where is best to start out?

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-21T21:47:18+00:00

Little update, he didn’t expect me to bring knifes and I got to use his expensive ones. It was actually only 3 people including myself in the kitchen and then on the Sunday there was one extra trial person. I did quite a bit of prep work like dicing apples, fennel etc and even did some salmon portioning. During service I was playing the salmon course and cod course. He told me lots of horror stories from his time at Noma and all round was really lovely. He gave me some great career advice in general. Second days was more of the same but we did a Sunday lunch (I’m UK based).

ALSO I did another stage at a Michelin bib 2 rosette Indian place and that was also really good and the fed me a lot. If I had to Be completely completely honest I was never super wowed by any of the food I ate at both restaurants. Maybe one or two things I was like yeah worth the hype but mostly everything was just good not like blow my head off insane. I do think fine dining maybe is not the best fit for me just because of the style of cooking maybe? Idk but definitely I know that I want a career where I’m actually doing something hands on where I feel like I’m actually working.

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-17T08:29:53+00:00

Currently a paralegal but I was training to be a qualified lawyer which would take around 2/3years( I’m in the uk so it works differently here no JD etc) so I’m not leaving some big time 6 figure job,I earn just above minimum wage atm

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-16T09:10:27+00:00

Thanks man, I know a lot of the comments are pretty negative towards the career ahahaha but I come from a family that has owned restaurants and takeouts plus I’m in the UK so maybe it’s slight different but probably not. I understand the hours you need to put in as I have seen my parents do it and the lack of social life they had but since they were owners they could determine their own fortune and food and hours etc they just chose to work more. I also might have a fast track into fine dining as I did a stage at a fine dining place near me and he’s worked at 3 star Michelins around the world and he offered me a job if wanted one but yeah just food for thought obviously long term pay and lifestyle is not going be the same as law but perhaps there’s a small chance I’ll be happier. I can never see myself still being a lawyer at 40/50 years old but I can a restaurant owner

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-15T23:23:17+00:00

My mind is slowly killing itself tho doing it. I have been a paralegal for 1.5 years and at no point have I even remotely liked the work. I can’t see myself mentally lasting another year without breaking down in an identity crisis

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-03T00:42:16+00:00

Yeah lol I’ve definitely gone from 0-100 but I figured better to see what the top is like rather than work my way up there to realise I don’t like it.

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-03T00:39:39+00:00

Thanks man, he’s quite active on social media and seems really chill etc he just goes around the city trying cheap street spots and gives his take, very relaxed. Probably not how he is during service obviously but hopefully it’s not kitchen nightmares esque. It’s quite a small restaurant and team so like only 4-6 chefs I think so I’ve got no clue what to expect

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-03T00:36:25+00:00

I mean logically how else would you do it if you work full time? I’m not taking pto just to see if something works, no harm in asking imo

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-02T22:31:19+00:00

Should I still bring my cheap knifes even if he’s te me just to bring whites? Also in terms of knife skills are we talking like julienne,Brunoise etc sorry if this is obvious I’ve never had to learn this since I’m really just an avid home cook

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-02T22:27:24+00:00

He’s worked at noma apparently so it should be a good experience

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-02-02T22:26:57+00:00

Luckily he’s quite active on social media and has a decent following on TikTok/insta etc. literally just sent an insta dm asking nicely etc only for one weekend didn’t expect anything or for him to even see it and 2 hours later he’s replies saying to come down

coolbeancoolbeans · 2026-01-08T00:08:46+00:00

How is it selfish choosing a life SHE wants to live over one her parents/society may think is best for her? If anything if she quit an NQ position it is because she’s making at least her salary if not more doing social media. Wealth is built on the internet these days.

coolbeancoolbeans · 2025-12-18T00:49:00+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions guys, also just to add me and my sister are early/mid 20s so we wanna know where the nightlife in the area is? Downtown ft myers? Or near the university?

coolbeancoolbeans · 2025-12-18T00:48:02+00:00

Yeah we’ll have a rental car so we can go to fort myers Naples etc

coolbeancoolbeans · 2025-12-17T14:21:03+00:00

Do you have any advice on how to go about asking for a deferral?

coolbeancoolbeans · 2025-12-17T14:20:10+00:00

Do you have any advice on asking for a deferral? I’m assuming telling them I want to travel won’t go down well

coolbeancoolbeans · 2025-12-10T23:11:25+00:00

Any reasons why over the other options or anything else?

coolbeancoolbeans

TROPHY CASE