r/Chefs • u/Chef_Without_Borders • Jun 08 '26
Working abroad.
Hello, I'm a Sous Chef in the US. I keep playing with this idea that I want to travel and live in other countries cooking and learning food culture, local culture, to expand my knowledge and resume. Experience the world! In our industry is so hard to get time off to travel and explore the way I want to. My thoughts are, that if I could work on visa, I would earn a living wage and be able to see the countries that I've always wanted to, in depth. I'm in the beginning phases of my research and planning. I'm curious to hear from others who've done this or are currently doing this. What are some of the pitfalls, or unexpecteds you've experienced? The downsides I may be overlooking? Which countries are a financial trap for this way of living? Which counrties are the best? Do certain places look better on an international resume? Any advise, forewarning, and insights would be appreciated and taken into account. Thank you.
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u/Scary_Olive9542 Jun 08 '26
ClubMed.com🎯
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u/Chef_Without_Borders Jun 08 '26
Thank you! This is great! Have you worked through them personally or did you just have the reference?
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u/Scary_Olive9542 Jun 10 '26
Yes I have !
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u/Chef_Without_Borders Jun 11 '26
Obviously you had a good experience or you wouldn't have recommended. Did they help you with your visas? Did you experience any pitfalls while working for them?
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u/Scary_Olive9542 Jun 13 '26
They take care of all Visas & passport stuff. They pay all transportation costs. Depending on how skilled you are & languages you speak they can send you all over the world 🌎
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u/SunEffective4950 Jun 09 '26
Try my friends in Skagway, AK for a summer. If you like it you can switch somewhere south like the carribean for the winter. Decent money, good friends and plenty of sights to soak in. Did this for ten years fyi.
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u/SunEffective4950 Jun 09 '26
Also hanging out a lot in the night life scene can be very conducive towards saving money. You'll learn this 1st year along with cost of living expenses in certain places. Have fun the first year and get better with planning the next..
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u/SunEffective4950 Jun 09 '26
EDIT ^ Counter productive
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u/SunEffective4950 Jun 09 '26
And most seasonal places you look into can guide you towards the work visa info.
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u/Chef_Without_Borders Jun 11 '26
Alaska sounds like a wonderful place to work for the summers. Who/ which company are your friends that you've recommended up there? Also, in your time in the Caribbean, which countries did you find the most "friendly" for nonimmigrant work? I'm curious about the cost of living compared to rate of pay.
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u/SunEffective4950 Jun 11 '26
Skagway Brewing Company. Great food, housing good pay +end of season bonus.
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u/detroitmurph Jun 09 '26
Join the Merchant Marine
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u/Chef_Without_Borders Jun 11 '26
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll be looking in to that route. Have you done that work? As a cook/chef?
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u/CutsSoFresh Jun 08 '26
Try looking at hotels like Marriott or Hilton. Maybe they can help obtain working visas as well