Support NeoGAF

[Nydius]

These days I feel like you don't even need a degree in the US...especially for Film and TV as I found out.

Just get into any sort of industry environment, be it a kitchen, or grabbing coffee as a PA on set of a show. You're going to have to do said job regardless your first year out anyway, so you'd may as well save yourself the hundreds of thousands of dollars on some degree.

Yep. This narrative of "you can't be successful unless you go to college" grew in popularity in the 1980's and really exploded by the late 1990's. I like to call it the Educational-Industrial Complex because it's become as pervasive in society as the Military-Industrial Complex. It's gotten so bad that the NY Times published a piece earlier this year where first graders - seven year olds! - were discussing college and college prep.

I remember a discussion with my step-son's high school guidance counselor who asked what his goals were. When I said he wasn't interested in college and wanted to go to trade school instead, the guidance counselor (whose entire office was decked out in University of Texas swag) got a deep frown and started in on a speech, telling us we, the parents, were failing the child by not pushing him to go to college.

I digress: Back on topic.

This news really doesn't shock me much. I've noticed a whole lot of managers and assistant managers at our nearby national restaurant chains (e.g. Outback, Applebees, Chili's) have culinary degrees. To me, that seems to be the equivalent of getting an expensive business degree only to end up as an assistant store manager at a big box chain.

 

[Etrian Oddity]

Those bracelets seem unhygenic. Wash your hands all you want, but the jewelry will still hold germs. Kind of like how doctors are being discouraged from wearing long ties because of the germ holding possibilities (bow ties are better).

But bow ties are always better, period.

 

[Nelo Ice]

After working in 2 restaurants as FOH, I have no idea why you'd even bother with a degree. My cousin who knows the struggle and is an aspiring chef is trying to make it as one without a degree and he's done fine moving up. Of course like everyone else has said the hours are absolutely brutal.

Also it is quite hilarious seeing this thread and then going on FB today to see 2 people graduate form Le Cordon Bleu. I'm gonna be nice and not post this article haha.

 

[Yaboosh]

It's the same for brewing schools. Super expensive, not all that helpful at getting jobs, not a great way to train you fit what you need to know, and how much you make as a brewer is not enough to offset the high costs.

 

[Kanye]

Come with me and you'll be eating fam

 

[entremet]

Those bracelets seem unhygenic. Wash your hands all you want, but the jewelry will still hold germs. Kind of like how doctors are being discouraged from wearing long ties because of the germ holding possibilities (bow ties are better).

He's probably not wearing those during service or prep time--I doubt he preps, though.

That's a photoshoot, so expect stuff like this.

 

[lenovox1]

i tried a culinary school but it was fucking expensive, more than expected , almost everybody left after 6 months and i was just looking for a basic course.
But i suppose it has its uses, just that it can become a somewhat high risk.

Did you look into community college or a public university? Many have culinary programs or hospitality programs related to the culinary field. I'd guess a culinary school would offer "real world" style line experience, but I can't imagine that being worth the extra $5,000+ per semester for most majors.

 

[neorej]

Cooking is not something you learn in school. Professional cooks and chefs work from intuition and experience. Any cookbook can tell you dill and salmon go well together, it takes feeling, finesse and experience to know how much dill you should use in each dish.

Cooks are in a rare field where learning on the job is really more valuable than getting a degree.