Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hi all,

I've been lurking on these boards for a bit and like most am debating a career shift to a personal chef.

I have some obligations to take care of first and will need to save up some money needed to attend a seminar, but in the meantime I had a question about the student membership.

Does the student membership give you full access to the message board or only the student section forum? I ask this because that forum looks a little anemic, and might not be worth the investment right now. (I'm at early research stage)

Thanks for any help!
Jen

Hi Jen,

Thanks for your post.
The student membership you mention is available only to current culinary students who are in the process of researching culinary career paths.

It doesn't sound as if that is where you are at this point, so it wouldn't be an appropriate membership for you.

By the way, Jen, the Open Forum you are visiting here was created over a decade ago as the FIRST AND ONLY source of information for individuals attempting to obtain information on this exciting new career path in the culinary world. We consciously compiled the most comprehensive knowledge base for and about personal chefs in this forum, and want you to know you are welcome to spend as much or as little time here as you like. It is free and is designed to assist you in deciding whether or not a career as a personal chef is a viable career choice for you.

Best wishes,
candy

Candy,

Thanks for your reply. I have been reading the boards and doing everything I can to prepare myself before actually taking the leap. (I am actually the one who emailed you about the DVD's on ebay.)

Sorry, I didn't go into enough detail in the first post. Right now I am finishing up a degree program, but am really unhappy being an adjunct college professor. The one thing that has kept me sane during all this is cooking. I've fed other students, professors, and thrown a ton of dinner parties. I've always said if I had it to do over I'd be a cook. Some friends have even said they should all pitch in and have me do the cooking for them. All those comments have brought me here. I finally decided why wait?

My degree program should be finished very soon. (within the next semester-- I am in the writing stage, and that is almost finished.) I don't want to burn the teaching bridge because I know it will take time to develop a client base and having a course or two to teach will keep me going through the lean times.

As part of my plans, I'm going to start a Culilnary Arts associate degree program at my local community college. I know it isn't needed to become a personal chef, but it is something I want to do. I'm assuming that will count or student status?

As for my original question, assuming I become a student member, will I then have full access to the boards or only the student section?

I ask this because it will take some time to pay off some existing bills and save up enough for part A of the program and take in seminar. During my first semester toward my culinary degree, I thought it might be worthwhile to get more involved in the chat board for a year or so while save up the money.

Thanks again for your quick reply! I look forward to getting to know everyone on the boards better!

Jen

Hi Jen!

Thank you so much for the heads up about the e-bay person offering our DVD's. They have been handled by the folks at e-bay and we're confident that it won't happen again. You are wonderful to let us know that there are some "less than honest" folks out there who love to steal other people's work and then profit from it. How sad that they can't come up with anything original on their own.

Your opportunity at the local community college sounds wonderful. We are huge fans of the programs at the community colleges and often steer potential chefs and personal chefs in that direction. Please let me know if I can be of help to you.

I'll be in the office most of this month (yippee! no traveling for me this month), and would love to speak with you to see how we can best be of service to you. Please feel free to give me a call anytime you are free at 800-644-8389, I'm looking forward to speaking with you personally, and to working with you in the future.

Thank you again for the good deed, Jen.
Happy Holidays and a joyous and prosperous New Year to you as well.
Candy Wallace

Hi Candy,

Thanks so much for your reply-- I feel bad for not calling you yet, but to be honest--I'm afraid to!! I'm trying to spend my break working hard on finishing my dissertation, so focus is the key. (lets put it this way...I got "The Professional Personal Chef" for Xmas and I made them hide it so I wasn't tempted to dig in.

As soon as I get my required work done...I'll give you a call! Thanks for your patience and willingness to chat!

Jen

Thanks for the note, Jen.

Timing is everything. When you have completed your dissertation, we'll still be here, and you are welcome to call anytime.

Best wishes for the New Year, and success with your dissertation! Go for it!
Candy