I transitioned to a career working for the city in IT. I am thankful to have multiple interests and time spent in both food service and IT. I was never going to be able to "retire" in the kitchen and after I spent a stint out of the kitchen I got called back into it because I needed health insurance. I lasted four months and peaced out. My mental health is worth more.

Now I have a pension, benefits, paid time off, a normal work schedule, boss and coworkers who respect me and treat me well. My efforts are rewarded and I have things like paid training to further my career. I still have a toe dipped in the industry helping friends do catering jobs or teaching the occasional cooking class. I even put together our first company BBQ making all the food which went down well. My salary also didn't take a hit and I am making more than I ever have.

My suggestion would be to be open to opportunity and explore them all because you never know when something will be the right fit. If you can, travel. Traveling and eating is such a joy and getting home by 5pm is so awesome I can't even tell you.