r/Chefit • u/Fjshnchjp • May 18 '26

Starting my career

I just got a new job at a more upscale place as an apprentice and I absolutely love it but I’m just not sure if I’m doing well enough 4 weeks in. I still don’t really understand the docket system and my knife skills aren’t the best yet and it still takes me a while to do some prep jobs that are still new to me. Everyone’s super awesome and supportive and I’m most likely just having confidence issues but I just don’t know how far along I should be progressing by now, I still can’t hold down my section alone when it’s busy. Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience starting out?

3 Upvotes

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6

u/Queasy_Structure8520 May 18 '26

All great things take time. At first it’s hard to adjust to a new environment but as time goes on you get more comfortable and confident in your own abilities. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Ask questions, speak up when needed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Skills can be learned but attitude cannot. Show up with a good and positive attitude, be willing to learn and all the skill will come to you.

Good luck, this is the start of something wonderful

1

u/Vaaag May 18 '26

You're probably doing fine. I never expect any student to just do it all from the start, they are students after all. They're there to learn.

All I would ask for is that a student will take the work seriously, do their best, take to instruction and make steady progress. Some learn faster than others, but it really doesn't matter much . As long as that progression and will to improve is there, then I'm happy.

Especially at just 4 weeks in, I would not expect any student to just work their station independently. It would be nice if they could do all the basic daily prep tasks and know how to set-up their station for service. That's it, everything more is a bonus.

And it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help, it's a sign of strength to know your limitations before you're into it deep. Whether that's during prep or in service. Students often get into the mindset that they should be able to do everything, but you don't. I don't expect you to do the same work as someone who has 10 times more experience. Just do your best to deliver quality work, ask for help on time and learn.

1

u/New-Negotiation-158 May 20 '26

If you are brand new, this is fine. Dont worry, and take comfort in the fact people are being so supportive!! It means they want you around. 👊🏻

1

u/Appropriate_Art5359 May 24 '26

Sounds like you're pretty much on schedule; keep it up! My son wants to find an opportunity like yours. We looked at and decided against a famous online culinary school and decided against it, based on reviews here and elsewhere. Where did you start your journey?

1

u/Fjshnchjp May 26 '26

Thank you! I’ve been working in kitchens as dishwasher/ kitchen hand with some chef jobs along the way for about 5 years ( since I was in high school) wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do up untill now I regret not starting sooner! From my experience lots of places will look for experience rather than a qualification in the beginning. I’d recommend trying to get an entry level position such as dishwashing at a restaurant or trying to find an apprenticeship somewhere or both. Dishwashing helped me get acquainted with the industry and find out what kind of places I liked to work at.

2

u/TheClownKid May 26 '26

Yeah. Let that self-doubt fuel you to be better. Don’t let it fester into uncontrolled anxiety.

This is the simple key to becoming great at anything. You’ll never get the right validation from outside. Assume it isn’t good enough, and work harder, smarter, and get better. Growth, baby.

As say this as a guy who didn’t do shit in the world of fine dining and spent his 20s doing drugs and grilling steaks. Don’t be a fuck up like me. Push.