Even before leaving Paris, a frequent conversation among my cooking school cohorts revolved around the questions, "What will you be doing after you graduate? Will you do a stage (internship in French) in Paris?"
A year ago, I would you have told you that yes, I was staying to do the three-month unpaid internship at a restaurant set up by the school. I wasn't sure what I would do after that, but I figured it would be experience that I would need if I wanted to delve into the food world. I was fairly sure I didn't want to be a chef in a restaurant, but knew that I still needed to learn how to cook and to practice in a real environment.
However, my brief stage in December showed me that while I loved the adrenaline rush of being on the line, I probably wasn't cut out for it. Doubts about doing a long stage crept in, along with the unfortunate realization that my funds would run out should I choose to stay in Paris for it.
While a lot of my classmates worked with the chefs to choose their internships, I decided that I would return back to the US. I stayed in Paris a month past graduation to give Paris market food tours instead, then headed home. All the while, I was looking for food writing positions, anything to get me to a place where I could practice my cooking and my love for writing at the same time. If only I could meet the head honchos at Bon Appetit & Gourmet: Ruth Reichl, you WILL love me!
Frustrations would set in. There were times when I doubted my decision to go into food: who would give a new graduate / new writer a job? Would I end up in the corporate world again? But I had vowed not to do that! How long would I wait before "selling out?"
Luckily, I didn't have to wait long. About 2 weeks after arriving home, I received an offer for an internship with Cook's Illustrated outside Boston, MA. I get to do dishes (as in the fun task of washing them), test recipes, test gadgets, and do whatever else they do out there for 3 months. The downside is that it's unpaid (but it would have been in Paris too). The best upside is that they write and do editorials on food and gadgets- something starting this blog made me realize I wanted to do.
So Chez Christine is moving to Boston in 3 days. Am I nervous about packing and leaving again? Definitely- I just got home and unpacked. But I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Even the thought that I don't have permanent housing yet isn't really fazing me. (Could use some help in this area, dear reader!)
Obviously, I can't blog about what I end doing there, but I promise to keep in touch. See you on the Atlantic.
Bon appétit!
Oh wow! Congratulations!!! I love Cooks Illustrated and America's Test Kitchen, my favorite cooking show. Good luck in Boston. I'm sure you'll do a great job. I've been reading your blog for quite some time, and I'm always left drooling and dreaming of Paris!
Posted by: katie | September 11, 2006 at 03:10 PM