Would you?

Would you go to culinary school and study Pâtisserie and Baking arts?

I have this deep desire to do that! I can't shake it.

But I have a great career. I enjoy what I do, but I don't think it's my "passion" - KWIM?

I love cooking and baking.

I'd want to open my own cupcake shop/coffee house... I just feel like it's a "stupid idea."

Anyone want to chat with me about this topic??

Re: Would you?

I actually always wanted to be a chef or baker but I realized very fast that I would miss out on so much, holidays, weekends, and very late nights.

I used to date someone and their uncle was a chef at the Pierre Hotel in nyc, he was always working, christmas, easter, new years, thanksgiving etc. He was never around

I also have a friend that owned a bakery, you pretty much have absolutely no life before major holidays, 20 hour days, in swealtering heat from the ovens. I tried it out once and it wasn't for me.

Re: Would you?

Re: Would you?

Posted by maybeamommy

Posted by MrsM-6-7-08

I actually always wanted to be a chef or baker but I realized very fast that I would miss out on so much, holidays, weekends, and very late nights.

I used to date someone and their uncle was a chef at the Pierre Hotel in nyc, he was always working, christmas, easter, new years, thanksgiving etc. He was never around

I also have a friend that owned a bakery, you pretty much have absolutely no life before major holidays, 20 hour days, in swealtering heat from the ovens. I tried it out once and it wasn't for me.

Thanks Nicole!

I was thinking of maybe taking some recreational baking classes at "ICE" in the city and seeing if I liked it.

You're very right about the bakery part! You bring up good points... thanks

Re: Would you?

I have a friend who was passionate about being a pastry chef. Trained at Johnson and Whales, traveled all over Europe...dreams of his own place. Well, he's NYPD now...could never keep a job long enough to support his family/save for his place...no benefits, never home. So I think the reality is very few can actually be successful as a career, but certainly worth your time to take classes if it's something you enjoy! And it can always be part of a bigger plan for down the road..when you have less to worry about financially.

Re: Would you?

Can we go together?

I am dying to do this.

I really want my mother and I to open our own bakery.

Re: Would you?

Re: Would you?

Posted by maybeamommy

Posted by heathergirl

Can we go together?

I am dying to do this.

I really want my mother and I to open our own bakery.

I might sign up for some classes at ICE... would you want to take some with me? That could be fun

Check out their listing of classes... I'd love to do something in August.

Re: Would you?

I would totally. You could start a catering company! No one says you have to work for someone else

Re: Would you?

I have taken classes - beck when I thought my career might be in the kitchen. But what I have learned about culinary school is that it is competitive, hot and stressful. It was not conducive to developing my passion for the craft - but I know a lot of people really thrived in that environment.

I'd rather take some classes to learn new techniques in a really relaxed environment. As much as I wax poetic about owning a little restaurant or shop - my true passion is creating food that is enjoyed by the people I love - I'm just not built for a career in haute cuisine!!

Re: Would you?

I almost did it in 07.

I was really very close. I spoke with a recruiter at the FCI. I sat in on a all day class.

I REALLY wanted to do it.

But I made a decision to make my life with dh first. to buy our house. to have our son.

going to school FOR ME meant quitting my job (losing out on all that income) AND taking about about 30k in loans (that is how expensive it would have been for me. I was doing the Italian school)

for me, fiscally, it just wasn't the right time. especially when I learned just how much a line chef makes straight out of school.

if you have a financial backer and know you want to go into small business that is one thing.

I didn't.

plus, I am a lot older than you. too old to indulge myself in this at this point of my life. it will be something I do eventually though. I just know it.

I am not trying to disuade you in ANY way b/c your life decisions should be made solely based on your circumstances (obviously ) but I just wanted to give you an insight into my thought process.

good luck with whatever you decide. I'll be your first customer!!!

Re: Would you?

I've thought about cooking school but not changing my career. Just having the knowledge and the ability to make amazing meals for my DH, friends and family. That is why I would do it, and it is still in the back of my head. Maybe the next time I'm unemployed.

Re: Would you?

I took one pastry/baking class.

It was every Saturday and it was about 8 hours long.

It was fun and I learned a lot, but it was a long, long, long day.

I still want to take the level 2 class, but it will have to wait until my kids are older.

I know my family DEFINITELY misses all the goodies I'd bring home every week.

Re: Would you?

Posted by maybeamommy

Posted by MrsM-6-7-08

I actually always wanted to be a chef or baker but I realized very fast that I would miss out on so much, holidays, weekends, and very late nights.

I used to date someone and their uncle was a chef at the Pierre Hotel in nyc, he was always working, christmas, easter, new years, thanksgiving etc. He was never around

I also have a friend that owned a bakery, you pretty much have absolutely no life before major holidays, 20 hour days, in swealtering heat from the ovens. I tried it out once and it wasn't for me.

Thanks Nicole!

I was thinking of maybe taking some recreational baking classes at "ICE" in the city and seeing if I liked it.

You're very right about the bakery part! You bring up good points... thanks

Re: Would you?

Re: Would you?

That is my dream...I would love to have my own bakery one day...go for your dream!

Re: Would you?

Would I? Yes definitely...if circumstances allowed.

I also looked into this recently and was going to start off with just a couple of courses after work to see how it went but then I found out I was pregnant and that put everything on hold. The school itself is pricey and quitting work is just not a realistic option at this time. I think for now...I may look into taking some of their "amateur" courses sometime in the near future, just to satisfy my urge .

Re: Would you?

I always wanted to do this, but I have a relative that is a chef and the hours are a nightmare. Plus I worked in a bakery when I was a teen and had to be in at 3 a.m. most mornings.
I have taken classes at ICE and they are well done. You'll have fun if you do go, whether it's for the education or just the recreational side.

Re: Would you?

I WANT to do this!! But, right now it's not logical for me. I need my paycheck and our health insurance is through me. I also have a great career, but yet it's not my passion.
I think I may comes the fall try and take some classes at Viking (Garden City) just so I can at least I can gain more knowledge on certain aspects of food and cooking.

You however, I think if you have this opportunity I think you definately should do it. Just reading some of your posts you have an amazing talent that you should invest in! I'd come to your coffee shop!!!

Re: Would you?

i was always interested in baking and looked into it locally here, they had saturday classes for 8 weeks 8 hours each i believe... but it was too much $$$.... if its something that you just enjoy i dont think i would dessert your career over it though.. maybe you can do dessert catering (like cupcake favors) on the side though that would be nice!

Re: Would you?

I know someone who went to one of the famous cooking schools in NYC.

She said it was really hard work---not at all what she expected. She also was telling me that it involved a lot of science and math because you needed to know all these perfect measurements, how to cook for large groups, etc.

I would never tell someone to give up on their dream though.

Do you NEED cooking school though to open up your own business either catering or a small coffee shop/bakery?

What about teaching your own classes?

One of my friend's wants to do this. (And she never went to cooking school). She actually did a few but she recently had another child so is putting it on hold for now.

It was a lot of fun. Her "target" is for people who hate to cook, or who are "newer" at it, and want to learn basic stuff. She would show how to prepare 3 easy meals, serve cocktails, you can bring your friends......she set up in people's homes and would bring all the serving plates/pots/pans/ingredients/supplies. The person whose house it was at didn't need to do anything.

You left and had 3 recipe cards with directions step by step.

She also was looking into doing more advanced classes as well for those with more skillz.