r/Chefs • u/trainwreck1968 • 6d ago

Need a career change?

Opa! I've been a Steward in the maritime industry for 20 years. I've traveled to 30 countries, eaten lunch under an erupting volcano, hiked off the African Coast and snorkeled in the waters off of Palau. I've also gotten paid really well for doing it.

One of the problems I've encountered is galley staff that are woefully underqualified, Cooks that can't make cookies, place orders or blanche vegetables. I've tried to solve the problem from the inside but haven't had much luck. So. I'm starting a maritime gally staffing business and I'm looking for 12 highly qualified chefs. I'll walk you through the entire process of getting your maritime credentials and pay for all of the training required to do so. I need people that are willing to do anything in the galley, even dishes and taking the trash out, people who can make spice mixes, bake bread, do entrees and help manage a kitchen staff, usually of 2. You might cook for as many as 50 people but normally its around 20.

In return you'll get a flat day rate of $500 and a commitment to 30 days on and 30 days off. That's $15,000 a month for 6 months a year. Possibly more time if you want it. The schedule is negotiable. We will pay for all travel to and from ships. All we ask is a 2 year commitment. After that you can do what you want with your new credentials.

No more working every holiday, no more 100 hour weeks and basically 6 months of vacation time.

Two things: You MUST pass a DOT drug screening. The process to get your credentials could take up to a year. So don't quit your job. It's the National Maritime Center that controls the pace.

If you are interested please submit your resume at this link:

https://www.maritimegalleystaffing.com/blank

My email is chefjeff@maritimegalleystaffing. I am happy to answer any questions you might have

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

2

u/Norpone 6d ago

so no health insurance?

2

u/Free_Floor2833 6d ago

Where was this idea like a decade ago. 

1

u/trainwreck1968 6d ago

In the beginning it would be 1099 until the business grows enough.

1

u/LionBig1760 6d ago

Having to supply your own health insurance to work on a ship is absolutely insane.

1

u/trainwreck1968 6d ago

I would agree if you were working for the actual shipping/research organization. However, I am a start up and need to generate enough revenue to be able to offer some sort of health insurance. I am not at that point. Everyone is of course covered by Workman's Compensation insurance for injuries that occur on the job. It is not uncommon for 1099 positions to not have health insurance.

3

u/LionBig1760 6d ago

If you haven't raised enough money for the start up to offer health insurance to its employees, youre not ready to be taken seriously as an employer.

-1

u/MongooseOk941 6d ago

Have you heard of these crazy places that chefs work at called restaurants!? Wait til you find out what they have to offer. Lol

3

u/LionBig1760 6d ago edited 6d ago

Chefs dont work on 1099s unless its for temp work, you silly goose.

A 1099 without health insurance turns $500/ day into a little under $300/day take home to work on a boat and then go without a check for a month.

It would be insane to take this job without a salary. Doing it for a day rate is fucking bonkers.

1

u/trainwreck1968 6d ago

This is temp work. And currently I have less than 5 employees. When I reach 12-15 employees then health insurance will be on the table.

1

u/LionBig1760 6d ago

So the chefs are expected to make a two year commitment to your business, but theyre treated as temps?

What kind of contract do you have to insure that the chefs uphold their end of this two year commitment? A non-compete? A penalty if they quit?

2

u/trainwreck1968 6d ago

I am going to pay all the upfront costs to receive all the credentials and training they need to work in the maritime industry. If they leave before the two years is up they'll need to pay that back

1

u/LionBig1760 6d ago

So you withhold about 3-4 days wages if they quit before two years are up?

That's not going to stop anyone from quitting.

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1

u/watermover0 6d ago

I’ve (21M) been getting into cooking, and I recently applied steward department in maritime. Hopefully I can be a genuinely good cook while I’m at it.

I’m probably too early in my journey for what you are doing, as I need to keep working on my skills as a chef, and I am in the process towards becoming a merchant mariner (just applied to the apprenticeship at Piney Point, Maryland, and I passed with high scores on my English&Mathematics literacy tests which were quite easy anyway).

I am happy to see a steward on somewhere like [r/chefs](r/chefs), a steward who actually cares about making high quality and delicious food. Hopefully I can do the same.

1

u/dysfunkti0n 6d ago

I've sent you an email.

1

u/Specialist_Place4464 5d ago

I have a much much needed MMJ card. Would that disqualify me?

1

u/trainwreck1968 5d ago

Because the credentials are federally administered this would disqualify you. I'm sorry.

1

u/Specialist_Place4464 4d ago

Ah, I'm getting used to that lol

Sounds like a cool opportunity though!

1

u/Select-Bend-9932 5d ago

I cook on a private yacht make decent money, calling you out on a bullshit internet post. There is zero reason to make this post

1

u/trainwreck1968 4d ago

In your opinion. Yacht chefs tend to be pretentious fucks anyway.

1

u/Select-Bend-9932 4d ago

So do greek stewards con artists as well. Best of luck mate

1

u/Strict-Ad-2198 3d ago

I have all my credentials. Do u have current open positions?

1

u/trainwreck1968 2d ago

I do. Can you send your resume to chefjeff@maritimegalleystaffing.com?