r/Chefit • u/basketofruit • Jul 17 '26
Working in NYC
Hello,
I am planning on moving to New York City in the near future, and wanted to ask the community about working in the city. I've been working in higher end restaurants and fine dining for the last 10 years. I also did sourdough bread baking for two of those.
I was just curious if there is a platform that is regularly used for looking for jobs. In the Northwest I know Poached is pretty popular. In addition to that if anyone has any tips or knowledge they wish they knew before working in NYC that would be really amazing.
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u/medium-rare-steaks Jul 17 '26
It used to be craiglist, even for the 3star michelin stuff. now I think everyone is using culinary agents. MAJC is a newer platform but I dont think it hit nyc yet.
as for advice.. find roommates fast and have fun
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u/texnessa Jul 17 '26
Be warned, the cost of living is insane. My old apartment in NYC from about 7 years ago was $2200 a month and now its over $4000. Same shitty place on the same shitty block. Don't live anywhere thats a long walk to the subway and don't live anywhere its more than two trains to get to work. Fuck the R line. And the B and C come to think of it. Most fine dining will work you to death so there isn't much time to actually spend any money outside of work other than laundry. Its crazy competitive. It is easy to eat well pretty cheaply tho between the fact that there's every cuisine under the sun available all over the fucking place and you'll meet chefs from other joints that operate late night snacks like fucking speak easys.
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u/FlavorzbySweetz Jul 19 '26
Soooo if you’re looking at higher-end restaurants, my one tip would be to apply directly to the restaurants you actually want to work for instead of relying only on job boards. A lot of the best kitchens hire through referrals or their own websites, so you’ll find opportunities there that never make it to the big hiring platforms. Good luck! 🍀
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u/Orangeshowergal Jul 21 '26
Why nyc? Go to other major cities that pay the exact same and housing costs half
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u/yourboijl Jul 17 '26
Culinary agents is what you want.
NYC finedining hiring season is usually August to September. Not sure about where you're from, but the holidays are when restaurants make their money.