Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice

Posted by Gerard on January 25, 1999 at 15:22:28:

In Reply to: Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice posted by Leslie on January 25, 1999 at 11:22:47:

Leslie leslie Leslie...

>> I have seen ambitious young chefs unfairly
passed over for promotions because they haven't got a diploma>>

Ambition is great but not a good criteria for promotion, ability rules. Those who take the time to train and practice to develop the skills will rise to the top and excell with or without a diploma in the end.

There are good people out there you can work with, nothing beats apprenticing under a true master, few are selected and even fewer are culinary grads.
If I had to do it all again I'd go the route Pierre has chosen, hands on with classes based on a "need to know basis", so much of what I learned is dead as far as demand goes.

Paradoxically, even as demand for pastry chefs explodes, I see the skill level imploding under the pressure to fill positions.
Theres many a good exec Chef who rolls his eye to the ceiling.
Take a look at Starchefs job board lately? big demand for pastry chefs ("recent culinary grads OK"), they don't want a pastry chef, they want betty crocker making desserts.

Thank god Paris will always be there, to protect us from our delusions of grandeur , you've been there, you understand.

Cheers, Gerard

Follow Ups:

• Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Pierre 23:39:48 1/25/99 (8)
  • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Gerard 18:54:18 1/26/99 (7)
    • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Leslie 22:32:14 1/26/99 (5)
      • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Pierre 16:01:09 1/28/99 (3)
        • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Leslie 19:01:11 1/28/99 (2)
          • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice George 08:53:46 1/29/99 (1)
            • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Gerard 17:04:41 1/29/99 (0)
      • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice gerard 03:32:10 1/27/99 (0)
    • Re: Wannabe baker would appreciate some advice Pierre 19:45:50 1/26/99 (0)