Cooking Degree Equals Job?

[aquamarine]

Well since I'm going to be in Japan for a while, I figure I should actually consider looking for some work. I've applied to Nova but out of the 25 of us, there were only three freaking spots open (thanks for telling us BEFORE I traveled 9 hours in a car!) so that job is out the window. I don't have a four year university degree, only a college degree in Professional Cooking and Cullinary Arts.

Now the question is, are there many restaraunts/pubs that hire cooks who specialize in western/italian cooking? I'll definatly look into it more in the first month or so while I'm in Japan, but I figured I may as well look into it a little BEFORE I take-off.

Just a question.

[Charles]

"Western" cooking in Japan isn't anything close to what you studied at your local community college.

Maybe you could get a job at a club as a host. Tell em Lucy Blackman sent you.

[aquamarine]

Lucy Blackman?

As for being a host, that might work better if I spoke Japanese, sadly I only speak a very mild amount that I recall from a grade 11 Japanese class!

[Taro Toporific]

... I don't have a four year university degree, only a college degree in Professional Cooking and Cullinary Arts.

Now the question is, are there many restaraunts/pubs that hire cooks who specialize in western/italian cooking?

Sure. But...

It depends whether it's a *famous* school and how many years experience you have. If you went to CORDON BLEU you might be able to get a "skilled labor" work visa with hardly any experience. However, if you have 6-week degree Mcdonalds Academy and less than 6 YEARS experience in a 1st class kitchen, forgetabout.

You have to find a pizza parlor that is willing to sponsor you for a work visa. This means you preferably have 6 years prior cooking experience in order to qualify for a work visa. Most cooking jobs say: "candidates have at least 5 to 8 years of experience".


OK having said all that, the fact is the most if not ALL "Indian" cooks have no experience when they start here. They just a have relative back home that writes them an 8-years experience letter as "proof".
If I were you....I'd just rewrite my resume and have my cousin Lino on Chicago Northside write me a letter from his club/cafe saying I've worked in the family biz since the age of 13. :P