Thinking of dropping out of culinary school? Help?

Question

I'm a sophomore at the CIA. I've gone through most, if not all of the rudimentary courses regarding knife and cooking basics, fabrication, and some nutrition. Some of my future classes relate to specific cuisines, and later hospitality, business management, and wines studies.

I always knew as a teen I wanted to just cook, and specifically NOT be a chef or manager. I've realized that I am a really lacking leader. I have a above average anxiety level, and I'm still really shy. Not exactly traits of a chef. I was never passionate or excited about different cuisines or traveling as most other students at the school are. Fine dining also seems extra and outside my interest.
Honestly I just enjoy cooking, but I can't take the studious side of school anymore. I've felt significantly burnt out and unmotivated for the past month. I've started skipping classes, which each counts as one 0 out of 15 classes. I want to be able to learn in a more stable and relaxed environment, whether that means  going to community college or working my way up. I spent the summer as a prep cook for a country club and was much happier there than I was moping and stressed here at the CIA. I've gotten what I wanted out of school.

I already have one year at culinary school plus an internship. I know its not much, but would I still be able to make my way up in a decent restaurant? Or possibly use cooking as a hobby and switch careers entirely to study something else or work somewhat menial jobs?

kswck2 · Answer

wish I lived closer to CIA, would have gone there. not everyone is going to be a Ramsey or some such. Do what you want to do, but Learn what they have to teach you. the knowledge base stays w you forever.

Jadzia Dax · Answer

Do what is going to make you happy

Simple · Answer

Community college is tough too, with lots of homework deadlines.
Discuss with your teachers, parents and close wise friends.

babyboomer1001 · Answer

If the course is paid for, go.  The more you learn, the better off you will be and the more highly skilled cooking tools you will learn.  When the $ runs out and it comes time to pay for another year or semester, then you can decide to quit then but I'd go for as long as the course has been paid.  You won't be hired as a chef, because you won't be a chef, although if it is a small casual restaurant, they might call you a chef and lie to people to get them to think that they hired a chef.  What you would be is a cook.  Many, many restaurants in the U.S. hire cooks.  Those are the people dragged in off the street (some), taught how to throw together the food they want to serve their patrons and they don't pay them much so they save money, while their businesses continue to struggle.  When you taste the food, you would probably realize why they are struggling.  Too many Americans don't know quality food and eat overcooked slop.  It sounds like you do know good food and with some skills, you would probably fall in between a top chef or a real chef and a cook - someone who has never had any culinary training.  Don't feel bad about changing careers.  It is very common and has been for 30 years or more.  Use your culinary skills to eat good food and to serve guests great food and for whatever other purposes you can think of.  Perhaps, you would like to start a catering business.

Anonymous · Answer

Stay in school.   Finish.   You'll have a skilled trade.   Do you really want to be making minimum wage as a line cook at Denny's?

"I've gotten what I wanted out of school. "   Wrong.   You love cooking and you said you wanted to rise in the culinary field.

The things that are the most worth doing in life are the things that are HARD.

Welcome to adulthood, my friend.  Your life is what YOU make of it.

Anonymous · Answer

you gotta make this desicion with your family and people you know,give it a hard long thought

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Thinking of dropping out of culinary school? Help?

6 Answers