Becoming a Vegetarian Chef....

Phil_S

Well thats the plan at least. Trouble is what's the best way to go about this? My experience to date is solely as a home cook. However i have a real desire and drive to do this.

I plan on doing a month long course (the kind people in this cooking institute will accommodate me on their course as a Vegetarian). Followed by a intensive week long course in England run by the Veg Soc, specialising in Vegetarian food of course. This should give me a good foundation and cover the basics. Im hoping this will be enough for a Restaurant to take me on.

Does anyone have any advise? Know of any Veggie Chefs and how they got to where they are now? Anyone know of any courses designed for Vegetarian's, not just the day courses focusing on recipes, but proper Chef training?

Thanks Folks......

Mellor

Are there any high level chefs that are vegetarians? Do they refuse to cook meat as well as eat it.

It's something i've wondered about, in that if you wanted to make it to the top in a commercial restaurant, you prob have to cook meat for others. Maybe when you get to the top you could pick and choose.

I know this doesn't help you OP, but it jsut something i've wondered

schemingbohemia

Try and get a stáge in Cafe Paradiso when you've a few courses finished.

To be honest I think it's going to be difficult to train as a "vegetarian" chef, you're best bet is to train as a chef and then concentrate on getting work in vegetarian or veg-friendly restaurants.

tricky D

Many moons ago during a previous recession, I ended up doing a stint as a veggie chef in a pasta restaurant in Temple Bar. On the whole I got by with 2 exceptions: 2 white sauces, one with bacon the other veggie. They were hard to tell apart usually requiring a dip of the finger to flesh out which was which, but sometimes needing a taste test. The other one was chopping up cured ham, which never required tasting, but the smell of the residue left under the nails took a day or two to subside, no matter how much scrubbing was done. However, the only reason I got the job was because a friend was the manager and he knew my cooking abilities. Ordinarily, I wouldn't imagine having a chance due to my veggie-goodness. So for the OP I'd say that you would be very lucky to find a position in a veggie only restaurant or somewhere with a friendly enough menu unless you know someone on the inside. The option of not cooking meat in a non-veggie restaurant is really a non-starter.

Also, a friend who is a professional qualified chef, was veggie for many years, during which time he, like myself, sometimes just had to deal with it and just do the taste testing. No other option like refusing to do it really, bar giving up the job.

Phil_S

Thanks for the replies,

I know that by cooking only Vegetarian (and Vegan) food I am limiting myself to a niche market so to speak. However, I don't eat meat and don't want to cook it, so I would be looking for work in veggie restaurants in the City or perhaps elsewhere in Ireland, like Cafe Paradiso.

Its true and very likely that i may find i hit a brick wall and cant get my foot in the door, however at least i will have gained some good skills and should enjoy cooking for myself until my days are done. I may have to seek another career although selling at Markets could be something that I could do on the side.

Mellor, i don't think anyone could refuse to cook meat in a standard restaurant and keep their job. Thats why its got to be a veggie restaurant for me I think.

Schemingbohemia, I agree, however their are courses (4-6 months) wolrdwide designed solely for Vegetarian Chefs. I've found them in Australia, USA and Canada. All too far away for me unfortunately, so at least the course im doing in Ireland will substitute meat/fish with Veg alternatives for me and i'll still learn the basics such as knife skills, hygiene, breads, pastry & baking, deserts, pasta etc...

I think I'll just stick to my guns. Sure whats the worst that can happen?

sweet-rasmus

Phil_S wrote: »

I think I'll just stick to my guns. Sure whats the worst that can happen?

Exactly

I knew one woman who did an intensive vegan dessert cookery course in New York, but don't have the specifics. I wonder if you may need to travel to somewhere in the UK, like London, where there are many vegetarian restaurants to get your foot in the door as a chef. Fingers crossed you might be able to get some experience at least in a vegetarian restaurant in Ireland.

Mellor

Phil_S wrote: »

Mellor, i don't think anyone could refuse to cook meat in a standard restaurant and keep their job. Thats why its got to be a veggie restaurant for me I think.

That's what I saying.
But I don't know if there are enough veggie restuarants in Ireland for the niche to be sustainable. SR suggestion of working in London is prob more a better option

Phil_S

Yeah sure, its a fair point. Perhaps its stubbornness on my behalf, but I still hope I can pick up work in Dublin.
As a wise man once said "sure it'll be grand"

schemingbohemia

Phil_S wrote: »

Yeah sure, its a fair point. Perhaps its stubbornness on my behalf, but I still hope I can pick up work in Dublin.
As a wise man once said "sure it'll be grand"

How many purely vegetarian restaurants are there in Ireland?

Do the Hari's take non-Hari people to work in the restaurants?
Other than that in Dublin, there's Fresh, what others?

In Cork, Cafe Paradiso and the Co-op?

Did that wise man get a job?

Phil_S

well theres cafe fresh, cornucopia, juice, govinda's, blazing salads(deli).

Not sure regarding the Hari's.

Did that wise man get a job? He left the country!

Laura 25

Hey there,

I found this thread while searching for similar veggie courses myself. I'd love to know how its worked out for you Phil? Did you find work in Ireland in the veggie sector?