Reflection & Evaluation
While working at Handle I learned so much. I worked full time as a morning prep cook. Every morning I would come into work, put away the food order in the walk-in storage. I would evaluate the foods already prepared and what needed to be cooked. I would prep most of the dishes on the menu including buffalo cauliflower, grouper, octopus & mussels, stuffed olives, tater tots, and much more.
Additionally, I was given the challenge to develop a couple of new dishes to add to the menu at Handle. I found it really exciting and flattering that Chef Briar would put such faith in such an inexperienced intern as to let her add dishes to the menu. While my dishes weren't added without some tweeking by Chef Briar, I was able to of my concepts on the menu!
I feel that in my time at Handle I have benefitted in many ways. Most of all- it was so beneficial to work under a chef who is so incredibly talented but remains so humble throughout his many accolades and great professional success. I also learned so much about working in a restaurant kitchen- the long hours, hot kitchen, stress, and high pressure work are all factors that may scare off many aspiring culinary artists. While I am intimidated by each of those factors- I was able to learn from the absolute best- someone who has taught me to stay calm and work well under pressure.
At the beginning of my internship I would get nervous towards the end of my shift when the line cooks would arrive and begin their station prep. When I would get nervous, I would mess things up, drop and spill things, burn dishes, etc. One day Chef Briar sat me down and told me to stay focused, everyone messes up and when I do, I must just move on and concentrate on the task at hand. When he gave me that simple piece of advice, things changed for me. I quite burning things, getting overwhelmed or intimidated. I'd get in my zone and focus on my work.
Overall- I feel that my internship at Handle has been an excellent way to kick off my career as an aspiring chef. In August I will be attending The Culinary Institute of America to study Culinary Arts and become a classically trained chef. I know that because of my internship at Handle- I will be ahead of the curve and know much more than many of peers simply because I will have had much more experience.
Additionally, I was given the challenge to develop a couple of new dishes to add to the menu at Handle. I found it really exciting and flattering that Chef Briar would put such faith in such an inexperienced intern as to let her add dishes to the menu. While my dishes weren't added without some tweeking by Chef Briar, I was able to of my concepts on the menu!
I feel that in my time at Handle I have benefitted in many ways. Most of all- it was so beneficial to work under a chef who is so incredibly talented but remains so humble throughout his many accolades and great professional success. I also learned so much about working in a restaurant kitchen- the long hours, hot kitchen, stress, and high pressure work are all factors that may scare off many aspiring culinary artists. While I am intimidated by each of those factors- I was able to learn from the absolute best- someone who has taught me to stay calm and work well under pressure.
At the beginning of my internship I would get nervous towards the end of my shift when the line cooks would arrive and begin their station prep. When I would get nervous, I would mess things up, drop and spill things, burn dishes, etc. One day Chef Briar sat me down and told me to stay focused, everyone messes up and when I do, I must just move on and concentrate on the task at hand. When he gave me that simple piece of advice, things changed for me. I quite burning things, getting overwhelmed or intimidated. I'd get in my zone and focus on my work.
Overall- I feel that my internship at Handle has been an excellent way to kick off my career as an aspiring chef. In August I will be attending The Culinary Institute of America to study Culinary Arts and become a classically trained chef. I know that because of my internship at Handle- I will be ahead of the curve and know much more than many of peers simply because I will have had much more experience.