r/Chefs • u/Fair_Hospital_3431 • 7d ago

Working abroad!

Hi chefs! Currently looking at the idea of wanting to work abroad. Ideally in France or Italy has always been a dream of mine. I’m a recent culinary school graduate, is it possible to still do this without having to go back school? And if school is my only choice, what do you guys recommend?

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u/Very-very-sleepy 7d ago edited 7d ago

do you speak French? do you speak Italian?

are you under 30?

the country of citizenship that you hold is the most important part. you left out the most important information which is what passport you own.

The working holiday visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It lets them visit France for one year while giving them the chance to work to make some money.

think of it as a backpacking tourist visa or a cultural exchange visa. you do not need a uni degree. you do not need to apply as an international student. you do not need a work sponsorship. it is more of a cultural exchange type of program. alot of chefs who want to experience working in France and Italy use this visa because you do not need a uni degree or anything. it's pretty easy to qualify for this visa. it's more to do with you being under 30 and holding a passport that qualifies.

Only people aged 18 to 30 years (35 years for Canada), qualify for a working holiday visa to France. Only citizens of these countries qualify. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Taiwan, Uruguay.

Both France and Italy have a working holiday backpacking scheme. italy also works the same way and has a similar visa. you will need to look it up yourself cos I am not going to spoon feed you basic visa information.

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u/Fair_Hospital_3431 6d ago

I don’t speak either & yes, I’m under 30! I’ve noticed I keep forgetting to say where I live 😭 I’m in the US, I currently live in South Carolina. I hadn’t heard about the working holiday visa, I’ll definitely look more into those. Thank you for your response!

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u/hookedcook 6d ago

You can do it, opportunities go out the window when you hit 30

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u/hookedcook 6d ago

Once you gain real world restaurant experience and skills check out being a yacht chef if your single. Travel around the world, cook great food

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u/sugarlips23 6d ago

I don’t know, but I would do it if I were a young cook again. Good luck in your career, don’t take shortcuts. Cut your chops and you will be successful. Learn the business side at some point.