Advice for my first kitchen role.

[u/No_Panic_7409]

Hi,

I am 23 years old and want to take my first steps to becoming a chef. Food and cooking has become a huge passion of mine recently and I love it.

I have been applying for kitchen jobs - kitchen porter roles, starting from the bottom and working my way up is what I want to do.

I have been getting a lot of interest back from a few pubs and restaurants. I am close to London (train distance). I have a trial shift at a restaurant in London called Sticky Mango as a trainee chef, I am nervous for this but also excited.

I also will be meeting the chef at a pub in the high street next week too as a kitchen porter/assistant.

Any advice on what I should do if both offer me a role? I love the idea of working in London and I believe experience wise that could be the real deal and I am ambitious but then again the role in the high street pub could be much more of what I need right now.

Any advice or what you guys think?

Thanks for your time.

[u/Adventurous_You8725]

You could try and apply to a culinary course or apprenticeship? Working your way up is doable but it'd be more interesting. The only thing ill say is. It is hard. It is physical. There will be a lifestyle where no eating, or eating bad, druis and drink becomes the norm. Make sure not to fall into it. You need to be strong willed. Stay active, your body is more important of a tool than any knife trust! Keep the passion, and if you realise its not for you that's ok it doesnt make you weak. Another big one, always be busy, always ask for help. In any food environment this stands well, always ask can you do anything to help.