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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry
#19364808 - 01/03/14 06:06 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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So I have a question for you guys/gals in the restaurant/food industries. I've been in retail, luxury sales, automotive and telecomm. industries, have also freelanced all for many years, and just have not found anything 'worth' the time/money. Besides the money/time spent, I was never really happy with any of the positions I pursued. And I'm sorry, being taken advantage of is not worth the stress without any reward. (maybe thats just ego speaking )
So long story short, I want to break into the restaurant/food industry and being as I have no working experience, I have no clue where to even start. Don't get me wrong, I know I could just walk into a Red Robin and get a dishwashing job, but I have $50g school debt (didn't finish due to lack of funds), car payment and a child to take care of, I cant really work for such little pay. I have great customer service skills, detail orientated, hard worker and have worked in a meat shop for a while, so I have a basic idea of what to expect. Customer is always right, long/hectic hours, team work, ect,..
I dont know, so I guess my question is, should I suck it up and just work my way up from a dishwasher? How long do you think it would take to work my way up to a server?
Thanks for ANY advice at all, I appreciate it! DO criticize me if you feel the need.
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lunarpiscean
princess



Registered: 11/12/12
Posts: 1,204
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: mindOmy]
#19364836 - 01/03/14 06:12 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Food is hard and stressful at first. Just fyi
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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: lunarpiscean]
#19364866 - 01/03/14 06:18 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
lunarpiscean said: Food is hard and stressful at first. Just fyi
Thanks lunarpiscean. Totally understand! I am expecting that. Meat shop showed me somewhat specified routes (demanding chefs with special and specific orders, ect,.) I am not expecting an easy ride in or way out, just wondering what others experiences were like working their way up.
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lunarpiscean
princess



Registered: 11/12/12
Posts: 1,204
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: mindOmy]
#19364913 - 01/03/14 06:27 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I worked food for about 3 years. My biggest problem was fighting with coworkers. Apply at a lot of places, continue to call back but do not call during a rush. You're less likely to get hired then plus it's annoying.
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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: lunarpiscean]
#19364933 - 01/03/14 06:32 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
lunarpiscean said: I worked food for about 3 years. My biggest problem was fighting with coworkers. Apply at a lot of places, continue to call back but do not call during a rush. You're less likely to get hired then plus it's annoying.
Aw! haha I see, the tension? Well thanks! I really do appreciate it  Im going balls to the wall Monday! I already tried Fogo de Chao, PF Changs, and another steakhouse, but I think I had my bar set to high.  If I could rate ya I would!!
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4runner


Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 15,406
Loc: State of Jefferson
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: mindOmy]
#19364951 - 01/03/14 06:34 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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In my (and my wife's) experience dishwashers become cooks and busboys become servers.
Apply for server and busboy positions. Both will get tips.
Edited by 4runner (01/03/14 06:35 PM)
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pcplease
Salame

Registered: 09/02/11
Posts: 6,089
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: lunarpiscean]
#19364971 - 01/03/14 06:36 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Servers are usually hired as and stay servers, dish usually works up to cooking in my experience. Small portion of each turn get into shift leaders and eventually management.
If I had a kid and was looking for entry-level stuff, I wouldn't be picky. Take what you can get first before looking for something better.
Also, IME dishwashing is a lot more fast-paced, probably nonstop at Red Robins than say working a deli counter. You'll have to get used to scalding and burning your hands a few times a day Some people can do it, some can't; you'll never know until you try
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lunarpiscean
princess



Registered: 11/12/12
Posts: 1,204
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: 4runner]
#19364982 - 01/03/14 06:38 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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A lot of food places won't call you back but instead they want you to harass them. Maggianos here is the perfect example of that.
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DebuteMachine

Registered: 09/29/06
Posts: 6,457
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: pcplease]
#19365007 - 01/03/14 06:41 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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FOH and BOH (front of the house aka servers bartenders, back of the house aka cooks and dish washers) those two are very different ball games. it comes down to getting tipped for work, versus hourly pay.
my best advice is just to go to a place, get an interview and SHOW them you are a people person who wants to work and is WILLING to learn and make mistakes.
the most difficult part for me is this: approaching a table. sounds easy, right? ever been the main character in a tv sitcom? ever been the main character in 5 tv sitcoms at once? thats how i felt.
you have a lot of experience working, and like i said if you show you are WILLING you have nothing to worry about. apply for a server and go strong out of the gates.
you will make hellah mistakes, so just deal with it. fyi Red Robin is a piece of shit. use it as a first job and learning experience, then move on.
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Repertoire89
Cat



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 21,773
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: mindOmy]
#19365008 - 01/03/14 06:41 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Start as a dishwasher and you'll probably stay BOH, really I just recommend staying away from restaurants. Its a horrible industry and I recommend anyone to stay out of it
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DebuteMachine

Registered: 09/29/06
Posts: 6,457
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: DebuteMachine]
#19365017 - 01/03/14 06:42 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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that movie rattaoulie is the best example i can use. everyone can be part of the restaurant industry, that what makes it unique. not eeveryone was MEANT for it though. put your best foot forward and i would love to answer any questions.
if we are talking about real hands on work (think like a video game, your time played does not count when the game is paused) i have 3 years of real experience on the floor, but 5 years experience with everything surrounding that. so it just depends on how you want to look at it.
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ChinChiller



Registered: 07/03/10
Posts: 3,270
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: DebuteMachine]
#19365063 - 01/03/14 06:50 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Its more commonluy called the Service Industry right? Does that mean more than just resteraunts/cafes/catering...bars?
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Confucian
...


Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,741
Loc: USA
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: Repertoire89]
#19365083 - 01/03/14 06:53 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said: really I just recommend staying away from restaurants. Its a horrible industry and I recommend anyone to stay out of it

Edited by Confucian (01/03/14 06:53 PM)
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RavageTheEarth



Registered: 12/28/13
Posts: 630
Loc: OH
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: DebuteMachine]
#19365087 - 01/03/14 06:53 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Exactly what position are you interested in? Cooking?
-------------------- Crazy... toys in the attic I am craaaazy
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DebuteMachine

Registered: 09/29/06
Posts: 6,457
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: RavageTheEarth]
#19365133 - 01/03/14 07:02 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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its a high stress job believe it or not. you either sink or swim. i prefer to swim, but then again i am one stressed out mother fucker all the time, so i just seem really natural in the environment.
its the only job i know of where i get to explode on people and berate them then we're friends 5 minutes later
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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: DebuteMachine]
#19365148 - 01/03/14 07:04 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
anunnakian said: In my (and my wife's) experience dishwashers become cooks and busboys become servers.
Apply for server and busboy positions. Both will get tips.
Really!? Ha what a coincidence! ok GREAT! Thanks boss! 
Quote:
pcplease said: Servers are usually hired as and stay servers, dish usually works up to cooking in my experience. Small portion of each turn get into shift leaders and eventually management.
If I had a kid and was looking for entry-level stuff, I wouldn't be picky. Take what you can get first before looking for something better.
Also, IME dishwashing is a lot more fast-paced, probably nonstop at Red Robins than say working a deli counter. You'll have to get used to scalding and burning your hands a few times a day Some people can do it, some can't; you'll never know until you try 
Totally, I'm looking for her best intentions as well! Im going to be going from freezing my hands off(meat freezer) to burning them off haha! And thats exactly how I see it, gotta try everything out at least once! Thanks +++++ 
Quote:
lunarpiscean said: A lot of food places won't call you back but instead they want you to harass them. Maggianos here is the perfect example of that.
haha Im an eager beaver when it comes to call backs. So maybe ill have some better luck with this advice!
Quote:
DebuteMachine said: my best advice is just to go to a place, get an interview and SHOW them you are a people person who wants to work and is WILLING to learn and make mistakes.
you have a lot of experience working, and like i said if you show you are WILLING you have nothing to worry about. apply for a server and go strong out of the gates.
you will make hellah mistakes, so just deal with it. fyi Red Robin is a piece of shit. use it as a first job and learning experience, then move on.
Wow! haha thats a smack in the face reality check! No but for real thank you, I appreciate it. Real world exp. is what I was looking for, you defiantly nailed it!
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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: RavageTheEarth]
#19365163 - 01/03/14 07:07 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
RavageTheEarth said: Exactly what position are you interested in? Cooking?
I honestly would be willing to learn anything! I'm wanting to be a server eventually, but I would like to have the experience of as many positions under my belt, just incase there was a shortage or what not, Im the type of person that is a workaholic and loves to help out anyway I can. And so no one could ever use it aginst me saying, "you dont know what its like, bla bla bla", I can say, " ohhhhh yes I do!"
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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: Repertoire89]
#19365189 - 01/03/14 07:12 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Start as a dishwasher and you'll probably stay BOH, really I just recommend staying away from restaurants. Its a horrible industry and I recommend anyone to stay out of it

haha thanks for the advice!  I am willing to take my chances though. I don't want to resort to going to the military..
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Snotfish
Striped


Registered: 02/27/10
Posts: 2,082
Loc:
Last seen: 1 year, 23 days
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: mindOmy]
#19365208 - 01/03/14 07:15 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I sort of work in food. I'm a barista at a local coffee shop but we also do paninis etc. It's more work than any of the jobs I've had before (I'm 23) but worth it at the end of the day. Feel like you've accomplished something and have a fat wad of tip money in your pocket.
It looks really good to food industries if you have some food experience. What I recommend is working at a deli because that is the basic food experience. I worked at one for a year with no previous history and they ended up loving me. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
Keep us posted on your gallivant, here's to the best in the food world.
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occollegeboi
MushroomSpaceGod



Registered: 04/10/11
Posts: 2,857
Last seen: 5 years, 4 months
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Re: Breaking Into The Restaurant....Industry [Re: Repertoire89]
#19365277 - 01/03/14 07:28 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Repertoire89 said: Start as a dishwasher and you'll probably stay BOH, really I just recommend staying away from restaurants. Its a horrible industry and I recommend anyone to stay out of it

Exactly this. Why the hell would you want to lower yourself by working in the restaurant industry? It is the WORSE industry to work for, and then retail being right above it.
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