Hi Chef LG- and welcome to Spice Place! My name is Kevin. I worked in professional kitchens for 25 years and was a sous chef and executive chef for half of those years... and let me tell you- you're not gonna find a funner and more satisfying foodie forum than this one. We're different here in that we're supremely friendly and welcoming- plus we're a fine cross-section of home cooks from all regions and all walks of life. And the kicker is this: It's very much FAMILY here. Have fun- we're glad u found us!
Respectfully- you do not ask for it- but may I take the liberty of offering some heartfelt advice?
That said- and I HAVE to offer this but please don't be mad or offended in ANY way... you do not mention if you have any years of experience in commercial kitchens- you only mention being enrolled in school. Please- some advice- or at least a practical aspect to make you aware- in case you are not... MOST schools advertise that upon completion of their culinary program, you are qualified for placement in a sous chef position. This simply IS NOT true. Unless you have much prior experience in commercial kitchens in the many various cook positions, sous chef in NOT an entry-level position. No matter what the schools tell you to get your tuition. I tell you this only so you are prepared- and not disappointed if you end up having difficulty fining a sous chef position directly upon graduation.
I started cooking at the very YOUNG age of 14. I was not a sous chef in a hotel until I was 25.
I became an Executive Chef at 30- and that is even considered young.
As a chef- I NEVER would have hired an applicant fresh out of school- with no years of experience- as a sous chef. A cook? Yes. But never a sous chef. The truth is- most chefs have talented experienced cooks in their kitchen already who would be more qualified to be her or his sous chef than a school graduate with no practical expereince. I wouldn't do this- and no chef I know would either.
A sous chef is middle-management... who not only must be ware of all practical work duties of various many kitchen positions, but who also must have supervisory and administrative experience. A sous chef is never hired without extensive experience in all other cooks positions first (chef de partie)- pantry "garde manger", banquet cook, broiler cook (rôtisseur/grillardin/friturier) and MOST important dishwasher/staff-cook (plongeur-marmiton/communard).
That said- if you stick w/ it- you're gonna work at a career that can be passion-filled and oh-so-rewarding. BUT, you're gonna work LONG and HARD. Which you probably already know. I worked 80 hours a week for decades without nights, weekends, or holidays off. So be prepared! It takes a really unique animal to enjoy and do well in kitchens. But for those who are able to- IT IS MAGICAL!
Lastly- I know the Skagit Valley well. I worked in Alaska for 13 years and traveled through Washington/Oregon frequently. LOVE the Pacific Northwest! If you're ever interested in apprenticing or working in Alaska, I was a chef at luxury wilderness lodges in AK for Princess Cruises, and I also managed kitchens and work-camps all over remote far-flung regions of AK for the oil, commercial-fishing and mining industries. AK is a great place to WORK HARD and make really GREAT MONEY, if you're dedicated to HARD WORK and EXTRA-LONG HOURS.
A fantastic career awaits you, friend! Again- we're glad you're here. Have fun and best wishes!
smiles- Kevin