With the UK population eating out more than ever before, there’s no lack of jobs for eager young people in the restaurant sector. Although initially your pay might seem lower than that of your friends in other industries, you’ll find you can rise through the ranks faster and further. It’s also true that you may find yourself working long
hours, but you’ll be working with a team of young, fun-loving people who will become your second family. And you may get to hone your skills under some of the most inspirational chefs and restaurateurs around, such as Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Cyrus Todiwala or Oliver Peyton. The other advantage of working
in restaurants is the sheer variety of employers – from McDonald’s to
PizzaExpress to Loch Fyne – and even the likes of Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental, London. If you want to be part of a buzzing kitchen brigade, think carefully about it. The long hours and commitment involved in becoming a world-renowned chef may suit some, but others will find satisfaction in a casual-dining kitchen. The same goes if you want to
work front of house. You might hunger for the career structure offered by big players such as D&D London or the Restaurant Group, or prefer the individual approach taken by owner-run establishments. In order to progress your career, you need to be methodical and focused. Decide on your end goal and keep talking to your tutors or managers to work out your route to get there.
menu?
Pizza and pasta Most chains have career structures – for instance, Zizzi and PizzaExpress – but there is also a plethora of individually owned, often family-run local trattorias that have a more personal working culture.
Fine dining These kitchens, particularly those with Michelin stars, are notoriously tough and run by brilliant chefs, such as Clare Smyth at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. If you want to be a chef, get into the best kitchen you can and work your way through the training. It’s hard work and the pay can initially be low, but if you have talent, it’s worth it. Look to the most famous chef names and write to them.
Gordon Ramsay 19
grab a job...
FRONT OF HOUSE ROLES INCLUDE: Waiter Receptionist Chef de rang (assistant head waiter) Sommelier (wine expert) Head waiter Maitre d’ (translated as ‘master of the house’; someone who manages the front of house) Restaurant manager (responsible for the business performance of the restaurant)
BACK OF HOUSE ROLES INCLUDE: Kitchen porter (someone who will wash up, clean and do basic food preparation) Commis chef (a junior chef) Chef de partie (someone who works on different sections, such as pastry or butchery) Sous chef/senior sous chef (the ‘under-chef’ of the kitchen; may schedule kitchen staff or deputise for the head chef) Head chef Executive head chef
Clare Smyth
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98