What do people need to know about chef jobs before entering the field?
It’s good to work in a kitchen as much a possible, even before you go to an expensive school. You have to learn to take the heat—literally. Pay attention to art! There are two parts: the creative part, which requires delicacy and a palate, and there’s the hard work, the drudgery of working in a kitchen, and that’s 75 percent. You have to be a bit of a drone, you have to be willing to clean three cases of whatever without losing your mind. I spend a lot of time looking at art books. It helps with plate design, color and all that. You try to have that make sense with actual food.
