On 07/04/2010 11:34 AM, Peter wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am not sure if this is the appropriate newsgroup to which I should
> post, so please excuse me if it is not.
>
> My question is simply whether one has to go to "cooking school" to
> become a cook in a restaurant. I ask this question because I am
> considering making a career change. I am a middle age mathematician
> and I have the opportunity to cook at a small establishment a friend
> of mine is opening. I am a good cook, very passionate about food, and
> love to cook. He knows it, and is willing to put me on. Done the road
> though, I would like to perhaps move on and I am wondering if anyone
> will hire me without a proper degree? I don't have any pretensions of
> trying to become a great chef or of being at a fancy French
> restaurant: I mostly like to cook simple food well using fresh
> ingredients.

Just do a great job cooking, and take some classes if you have the
desire. Classes might help you become more proficient at the basics,
etc., but lots of chefs became successful without cooking school.

Serene