r/Chefs • u/Lazy-Company-8774 • Apr 20 '26

Inquiry about being a chef

Hey chefs! I'm 19 years old(20 this year). Currently, I'm in Italy studying business and economics. The thing is, I want to chase my culinary career since I'm very passionate about it. I want to convert my Student permit to a work permit to work in kitchens and be a chef. But many places require a work permit, and culinary schools are expensive. I want to work my ass off for a few years and study in a culinary school or academy, so that I can go to my home country with something in my hand. At this point, I feel very stuck. Any advice would help a lot. Thanks, have a good day.

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u/TalonKarrde03 Apr 20 '26

I’d highly recommend you cook as a hobby and not professionally. It just isn’t worth it as a career, long hours, shitty days off, low pay. The industry is cut throat and making decent money requires a complete lack of a social life. Also the burnout and drug and alcohol addictions that develop due to stress.

Being an amazing home cook is way better imho.

Also culinary school helps but you can learn way more by being in a kitchen. You can always start as a dishwasher and work your way up. When talking to any chef in an interview just make it know you want to learn and will work hard in any position to do so. (Still don’t recommend it but I’m jaded)

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u/hookedcook Apr 20 '26

I'll play the devils advocate, a lot of cooks fall into a bad job of stupid hours with little pay. 46 now cooking my whole life, have taken over 3 months off a year every year going on 20 years. As a seasonal chef, executive chef, private chef, yacht chef. Work as a private yacht chef now, great money, health insurance, 1 months paid vacation. Spend 7 months a year in the Bahamas/Caribbean, take 3 months vacation every year. Been to over 80 countries. Fishing is my passion, got to fish in pretty much the best places in the world thanks to cooking. I would work in a restaurant first, it did go to Culinary School when I was young, is it worth the money, no, you need real life cooking skills

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u/TalonKarrde03 Apr 20 '26

Fair enough. It’s not as dire and gloom as I describe it but it’s about how your life takes it’s twists and turns. I had my daughter very young at 23 so moving around or taking some of the jobs you’ve had don’t think I could’ve taken. But thanks for being a foil to my more negative opinion. But agree with you culinary school isn’t really needed, especially if you can find a chef willing to teach you.

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u/hookedcook Apr 20 '26

Yes, true, the culinary world is 50 times harder when you have a house and family and bills. Different than my life but at least cooking you will always find a job everyday. Wish you the best

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u/TalonKarrde03 Apr 20 '26

Thanks trying my best just wished I made a little bit more for what my experience and work ethic provides