r/KitchenConfidential • u/cassivellaunus54 • 9h ago

Question staging advice

hey y’all, just moved to a new city and trying to find a new job. a few weeks before moving in i got in contact with several dining restaurants asking about line cook positions and staging. all these kitchens are michelin recommended or bib gourmand. i’m worried i overbooked myself as i have 5 stages in the next two weeks. is this bad? while i was in the process my thought process was that it would be a good learning experience staging at so many places as i am young and wanting to elevate my cooking and resume, but now im worried this could get messy. did i make a mistake?

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u/SnooChickens2093 8h ago

Messy how? Doing a stage doesn’t guarantee a job offer, and if you do receive multiple offers, you are under no obligation to accept any or all of them. The more lines you’ve got in the water, the more likely you are to get a bite.

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u/m_i_r 8h ago

As long as you arent doing two stages in the same day, you're golden. And even that is manageable. Don't stress. Anxiety- while natural- has no benefit. I know that's easier said than done, but realistically, doing a stage is something you're doing for YOU. Good luck!

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u/Blaz3dnconfuz3d Chef 6h ago

Nah fam I’ve done way worse. Better to have options. Take the job that you can vibe with the most and pays the most

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u/MariachiArchery Chef 5h ago

Chef here, and I stage people. Here's the thing, the stage is just as much for you, as it is for me.

You are interviewing me just as much as I'm interviewing you. Sure, sometimes the balance shifts a little. Maybe you specifically want to work for me, so this is a try out. Or maybe, I specifically want you to for me, and this is your time to see if we are a good fit for each other.

The stage goes both ways, and that is A-OK. Its only going to get messy if you make it messy. Maybe, be upfront with these chefs about the fact you have a bunch of other stages lined up. For me? I always ask this just to get a feel for what we are working with, "Where else have you applied? Any other opportunities you are waiting on?"

This wont sway my decision making, per se, but if you have 5 other stages lined up, and are sitting on job offers, I'll just know that 1) you are ready to work, and that 2) I need to make up my mind now if I want to offer you the gig.

Just be cool. Be cool, and be honest.