Culinary school

smoke king

smoke king

Banned
Well, after much deliberation and discussion with my dear, understanding wife, I am going to go back to school after 30+ years, for a culinary degree. I'm not sure which "specialty" yet-I am really interested in molecular gastronomy, but I really enjoy baking and the pastry arts-culinarily speaking, that is my passion.

Well, I've been pretty amped up about it since I made the decision, but today I got to looking over pre reqs and all the different things that are involved, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated and completely overwhelmed! Yikes! With all that they require, you'd think I'd qualify to split atoms when I was done!!!

I guess I need a kick in the a**-who's been there (luvs ?:biggrin:) and what was it like-can an old guy like me "keep up" ? I haven't been taught anything in many many years-up to now I thought I knew everything!!!
 
Bob!!!! Go for it!

It's something you really want to do, and you will apply yourself, and will learn a ton, teach others what you know, and bring a lot of your own creativity to your dishes.

You will be GREAT!

Lee
 
Bob, you'll find that students that are traditionally younger are going to find you interesting and they are all going to want to hear about what brought you back to school at this ah...advanced age. Kids have no clue what they are doing and to hear someone affirm that they've chosen something someone would change gears for mid life will be encouraging for them. They in turn are going to encourage you.
Watch out for that molecular gastronomy, though...specializing in that will really narrow your playing field when you get out. You're talking restaurants that the average person won't be frequenting. I'm pretty sure you won't have to declare right away. Wait a while on that and just get your feet wet initially. No sudden moves, if you know what I mean.
Good luck.
I still need a pizza person...interested?
 
Bov - That is wonderful in many ways.

Your mind is like any other part of you, it needs exercise too. Your are never too old to learn. I agree with Vera you will do just fine.

Andy
 
Bob, if that is you passion, I say go for it. There was something I probably should have done besides flying but I took the easy way out. I'll always wonder.....
 
Good luck with this endeavor SK, I went back to school myself and got a BS in computer science. Now I've read in other forums about staging which is were a person goes into a restaurant and works for a period of time for free doing what ever you are capable of doing. Some of the better restaurants actually prefer these people to school graduates as they are more willing to learn. You might consider trying that before enrolling into a formal course. Another option is to take some basic level cooking classes which I've done and learned a lot in the process though I'm by no means ready to work in a restaurant I learned a lot. I especially improved my methods of cooking in the process.
 
Okay.....starting to feel a little better about this....(I think I can, I think I can)

Hey Vera, can you hold that job for two years? Of course, my benefit pkg will kick in about the same time as my social security!:yum:

Thanks guys!
 
that is awesome! we have several 'older' people in class. you should apply! i'm 28 so not too young or too old. it can be stressful, indeed, though very rewarding!!!!! & you get to cook very delicious food. 4 of so of my Chef instructors have stated that culinary school is for older students. give 'er a try!
 
lol! Luvs, there is old, and then there is old !! I'm going to do it, and starting to get excited about the prospect. I was pretty excited at first, and then I got to looking at pre-reqs etc,(looks hard!) and then not so much!!!

But I'm feeling better about it, and more importantly, my confidence level is back up there, so I think I'm good to go!!

Hey Luvs will you help me with my homework?:mrgreen:
 
Glad to hear you are going to go for it Bob. We only go around once in this life and there is nothing better than working at something you like. Since you are not getting any younger, there is no time like the present to jump right in with both feet. The rewards will come and you'll enjoy school more than ever before since you re doing something you love and learning new techniques every day.
My school was interrupted with my enlistment in the Navy. When I came back I was so much better at school. Aced everything, simply because I wanted it and put effort into it. I had grown up. Your years of life experience will help you immensely in this school.
Best wishes and keep us posted of how things are going. :thumb: :D
 
Bob, I think you will find the experience to be a lot of fun and you will find that you love learning. It shouldn't be a problem for you at all.
 
That is Wonderful Bob!!! Even if you run into difficulty here and there I'm sure you willl love the challenge! Let me know when you open your own place...Im there!!! :D :D
 
he-he, instructors, they can be a trip! you make great grades, they're soooooo kind to you; other students, well.....

& since something says your grades will be awesome, i figure you'll be well-liked.
 
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Thanks again to all of you-I can't begin to describe the confidence I'm getting from this thread!!!

So many decisions to make-I love Toga parties so I'll definately pledge Delta....:yum:
 
Bob, no, my friend, you do not wish I was your instructor. Trust me.

Apparently, I have a 'kitchen voice' that I use when want something just so, with no screwing around. I love you too much to ever use the kitchen voice on you. I've used it on Lou a couple of times and each time he's threatened to take my cocktail away or not clean up after dinner. Either situation is unthinkable to me.

You'll do fine. It's like Doc said, when you get to a certain age, all the childish nonsense is over and you really can concentrate on learning.
 
VeraBlue said:
You'll do fine. It's like Doc said, when you get to a certain age, all the childish nonsense is over and you really can concentrate on learning.
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I agree a 100% here with Vera as I went back to school in '84 about 40 years old. Now when I went to school I barely graduated but the second time around was different in that I was older and more mature. It does make a difference which proves the saying "youth is wasted on the young".
 
SK, go for it!

I loved being in Culinary School! We had an older gent in my starting class. He had retired from his first career, and was getting into something else to keep from going stir crazy.

You'll probably start off with basic knife skills, then cooking skills/procedures. You'll probably learn things you never thought about, like food purchasing, scheduling, business, etc.
 
What a wonderful idea SK! Go for it! You could start a journal thread and we could all experience it through you!
 
smoke king said:
Thanks again to all of you-I can't begin to describe the confidence I'm getting from this thread!!!

So many decisions to make-I love Toga parties so I'll definately pledge Delta....:yum:
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OMG! You didn't just say that............we have to talk!!!! :whistling:
 
Bob,

I too had my education interrupted by military service. Before enlisting in the Air Force I was in school for Mechanical Engineering, and was pulling OK grades. Life caught up with me, marriage, kids, several career changes, and in my 40's I found myself back in school (Business Administration) like Joe & Doc, and acing every class because I really wanted to be there (except for calculus that my DD helped me get a B in). As Luvs said, the instructors preferred us older students, because we were raising the bar for the youngsters who were there with us. It was kind of neat being ON the Dean's List instead of being IN the Dean's office.:bonk::yum::yum:

You'll be fine as long as this is what YOU want to do. I don't ever want a career in the restaurant business, but I have been looking at some of the culinary textbooks at the used book stores, and I might pick one up to see what I can learn to improve my amateur skills. We are never too old to learn new tricks. Heck, that's basically what this forum is all about.

Best Wishes for fulfilling your dream.
 
Mama said:
What a wonderful idea SK! Go for it! You could start a journal thread and we could all experience it through you!
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I was thinking that very same thing Mama!!

And Joe, you make an interesting point about "wanting" to be there. I've wanted to do it for some time, but as you pointed out, life has a bad habit of getting in the way of these things. While it has occured to me that this would be a great way to get into foodservice, that has never really been the driving force for me.

Several years ago, my DIL bought me a chefs coat for Christmas, because she knew how I loved to cook/bake. I have never been able to bring myself to so much as try it on-to me, a chefs coat is something that a person earns, and I want to earn mine!

If, when all is said and done I could land a gig that I liked, then I would certainly sieze the opportunity, and that would be great! But that part is secondary-I want to do this for myself. Its been a long time since I accomplished anything of any consequence, so I figure its time to sh*t or get off the pot!!

...........And then I'll pledge delta!!!:yum:
 
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