Working as a private chef

Originally Posted by SField

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Ok I'm going to jump in the fire here and say that while I have not tasted his food, he's much better than some people coming out of CIA or any other culinary school, I'm very sorry. His composition and the doneness of the meat that I've seen is acceptable for an entry level cook. No he has no restaurant experience but as far as cooking for one, I'd say that having cooked for as long as he has he's probably better than the knuckle dragging idiots I've seen. Think back to how you cooked on your first day at culinary school kyle. Can you very truthfully say that your 11 years of experience served you as well as his 7 or whatever he says he has did?
I met kids that graduated from the CIA. They think just because they graduated culinary school they are going to go straight to the top. Yet, they enter the kitchen, and end up washing dishes. Well, why not just start there, instead of spending money on school?

Originally Posted by mgm9128

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I like the design aspect of picking out frames and matting to go with different pieces of artwork.

So...no?

ojfc

Originally Posted by iammatt

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ojfc

i don't know what you're grousing about. this thread rules.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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Nope. But I never would have considered myself prepared to take a private chef job on my first day of culinary school, either.
Well, in this hypothetical world you guys wouldn't be starting out at the same level. You've come a long way but be sure to remember some of your creations only a couple of years ago. Again I think people should keep context in mind... this woman isn't expecting Alain Ducasse to come live with her and this kid isn't asking for big money. He's better than a lot of the maids that also cook for families in new york (without any training or experience) so I think we should cut him some slack. If this were law or medicine, I'd agree with the experience spiel but this is cooking. I've seen some people of pretty humble backgrounds do great things and hit the ground running once they're getting paid. I think it would be even worse for him to onto the line and get killed. This is informal and a much easier and more comfortable way to do it.

Can you honestly tell me what a CIA graduate has that any able-bodied, perceptive individual that knows how to cook doesn't?

Originally Posted by SField

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Well as he's saying I think this is an agreement with fairly loose terms and undefined boundaries as of now. I think people should stop jumping down his throat and at least hear the woman's terms before he says no. I really don't think most of you have any idea just how bad some "private chefs" are. That idiot from Housewives of New York makes 6 figures being a private chef and that ***** makes ******* salads. I also don't think (while I support classic education) people realize just how terrible many line cooks are, not to mention how patently untalented many culinary school grads are.
I hope I'm not coming across too strongly. Just trying to offer my practical knowledge here. I edited my post above to reflect my feelings about his "too many mouths" comment. That isn't the kind of mindset you can bring into someone's home working on staff. Just doesn't work. He "hates" the idea of cooking for that many people and would probably be better suited to explain his terms to her after she really informs him of what she expects. He can do it but he should rise to the level of appropriate standards and yes, I've eaten my share of terrible food from private cooks but I have also had some amazing meals. Those amazing meals start at $80k yr or so it seems Edit: I still stand by my $50k yr rule. She's a woman hiring a chef to live with her. I would guess she spends more on shoes every year. Certainly $50k isn't 'too much'. Hell, might seem like a bargain

Originally Posted by Connemara

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This is one of my fantasies.

Cooking or financially taking advantage of a lonely old woman?

Originally Posted by mordecai

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i don't know what you're grousing about. this thread rules.
It does have potential.

^^

great 2000th post



edit: not you, matt

Originally Posted by mgm9128

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Can you honestly tell me what a CIA graduate has that any able-bodied, perceptive individual that knows how to cook doesn't?

A structured basic education in the culinary arts? It's like the difference between reading some philosophy books vs. having a degree in it.

Originally Posted by mgm9128

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I met kids that graduated from the CIA. They think just because they graduated culinary school they are going to go straight to the top. Yet, they enter the kitchen, and end up washing dishes. Well, why not just start there, instead of spending money on school?
You're absolutely right. I would definitely tell you NOT to go to culinary school. But I wouldn't advise you to take a job as a private chef if you really wanted to become a chef one day. I'd tell you to start cooking at a decent restaurant and to stage every goddamned day you had off at a nicer one until one of the nicer ones finally offered you a job. I feel like a lot of private chefs stagnate, or become stuck in their ways, and that it isn't a very good path to "Chefdom." But like I said, you're young and you can cook, so why not take the job.

Originally Posted by SField

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If this were law or medicine, I'd agree with the experience spiel but this is cooking. I've seen some people of pretty humble backgrounds do great things and hit the ground running once they're getting paid. I think it would be even worse for him to onto the line and get killed. This is informal and a much easier and more comfortable way to do it.

This doesn't translate in any way whatsoever to being a line cook. This translates to doing exactly what he's doing now and getting paid for it.

Originally Posted by iammatt

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ojfc

What don't you agree with? I'm not asking in a confrontational manner, I just think that you're one of the only people here who actually has a ******* clue on this subject.

my ex's uncle was prince's personal chef. he would ask for elaborate meals and take one bite, say "delicious" and her uncle would find 99% full plates in the microwave the next day. he was pretty much as described on the chapelle show

Originally Posted by iammatt

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It does have potential.

Originally Posted by mordecai

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I've had a few relatives and a couple friends be personal assistants or chefs for individuals or families. When living separately the relationship always becomes intrusive, when together, sometimes life threatening.

That said, I totally think you should do it and post the stories here.



Can't wait to hear about him confronting her first outburst of irrational anger with inquisitive logic.