[Cross-posting from alt.cooking-chat from two days ago since I didn't get a response]
I was thinking about getting a part-time cooking job for the weekends and some evenings, in order to learn a little bit and generally speed up how I cook. I'm curious how likely it is to find something like that in a city--without having to start out as a dishwasher or something else. I am fairly certain I will have no luck at large, well-known places, but I'm curious what kind of restaurants I could try for. Is this something that is destined to end in tears?
Prep cooks usually go in early and get things ready, so I'm not sure about being a prep-cook in the evening. You could be a line cook.
I had a roommate that was a prep cook at a decent place. She went in very early, and started prepping for that day's recipes. She learned quite a bit, and seemed to like the job. She did not have to start as a dishwasher. I'd advise trying to get a job at the best place you can. The menu varies more at such places, and they usually have interesting menu items and ingredients. Prep cooks do not make a whole lot of money, but that doesn't sound like it matters to you.
