This one's addressed to anybody with a dream... (chefs prefferably)?!
This one's addressed to anybody with a dream... (chefs prefferably)?
I just had probably one of the worst days of my life. Today was the Practical Section for my culinary arts exams and I'm pretty sure I flunked it: the chef scolded me in front of everybody coz i was such a clutz ( i used the blue cutting board for cooked shrimp, I had a lot of wastage coz my first attempt at mayonnaise was a failure and my thousand Island dressing was too liquidy) on top of that my mise en place was virtually non-existant and i barely managed to put together the 2 dishes (egg mayonaisse & Shrimp Cocktail with Thousand Island Dressing) within the alloted time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Anyway I was wondering if anyone could share any experiences or stories like this that made them feel utterly hopeless and how they got through it. it would really help if u guys cud include some advice. Thanks so much, it'd really help me feel better even though right now I feel lyk a **** of a cook... But just so you guys knw, i hvnt given up on my dreams just yet...I can take the heat
Answers:
I'm not a chef, but have attained many of my goals and dreams. I'm also a mother and a pretty good home cook if I say so myself! (well, friend's and family say so too)
Anyway, here's what I have to say to you. NEVER give up on your dream. I, personally, totally screwed up a huge project when I was about 20, and thought I was going to be fired....I was fired, and thought it was the end of my world. At that time it was, but I didn't realize what a big world it is and looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I learned from my mistake, got another position, and moved up the ranks way past where I could have gone with the first company.
To YOU, and to my children, I give you this advice. Have FAITH in YOURSELF. If you didn't do well at a task, do it again and again until you have mastered it, if that's part of your goal.
Don't expect your instructor/teacher/boss to help you. Research, practice, and hopefully have a few people that will be a "guinea pig" for you. Everyone has a disaster, but don't let it get you down. Learn from it.
Did you know that Bobby Flay (I think it was him) was a terrible student and look at him now. Anyway, one of those super chefs on TV Food Network was a complete disappointment in school, floundered around, even had a rough time in culinary school.
Again.......don't beat yourself up over a series of mistakes on one task. Do it again and again and again until you have it mastered.
And don't do like a silly friend of mine says..."If at first you don't succeed, BLAME SOMEBODY". Instead, take responsibility, ask for help from anyone you can, practice, practice, practice.
Who knows.......in the future...you might have the best 1,000 Island dressing and market it and make a fortune! When you get through school or not, if you work in a restaurant, I'd be happy to eat your food.
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM!
The best to you.
I graduated from culinary school in January. I worked full time all day, drove 80 mph for 40 minutes to get to school each night and got home around 10:30 or 11pm. I was wiped out quite a bit. In the midst of it all, I got divorced. I had my fair share of horrid nights in the kitchen. I was fortunate enough to have kind classmates that I could lean on to help me out when my brain simply would not function. One failed practical is not the end of the world. Learn from your mistakes. Analyze what went wrong. Make changes for next time. Talk to your instructor and see what they suggest you focus on improving. If you have to retake a course, it is not the end of your career. Many of my classmates had to retake courses. In the scheme of things, one more term in school is a very short time to wait for your dreams to come true. In the mean time, if it is possible and you haven't already, get a job in a real kitchen. The things you will learn there will help you immearsuably in your schooling. Best of luck to you!!
I was in my first practical class in Culinary, the weights for all of the spices were wrong in the book...I measured out an ounce of cinnamon...(That is a Lot) Had to make the recipe twice...one low fat and one regular....I made the first batch and put a couple pinches of cinnamon in because a 1/2 ounce would have been entirely too much...For whatever reason when I made the second batch I was throwing in the rest of all the ingredients and put in the rest of the cinnamon...WAY TOO MUCH!!! Needless to say they were disgusting...I tried to talk to the chef instructor...Blah Blah Blah....I think I got like a B- and a comment about "good food styling sense" Nothing about what great kitchen potential I had. I paid more attention after that learned from my mistake and graduated with honors...I have owned my own restaurant for almost 6 years...So I guess the point is Don't give up!!! Everyone makes mistakes....If you love it you will be fine...That is the only way you make it in this business it's tough!!!! Good Luck and don't worry...Worst case you take the class again!