A year into my first kitchen job, when is it time to branch out?
First post here, so bear with me.
I’ve been at my current restaurant for a little over two years. It’s a higher end restaurant, but on the smaller side in terms of volume. Around 100 covers on weekdays and 200 on weekends. I originally started as a busser and eventually trained in every FOH position.
About a year ago, I decided to bite the bullet and join BOH. It changed the way I look at cooking. I’d always enjoyed cooking at home, but I never seriously considered it as a life long career until I got into the kitchen.
I spent my first few months on garmo before moving around the line, and I’ve now settled on the entrée station. During that year I’ve gone from line cook to lead cook, then to sous, and I’m still in the process of getting a hang of that role.
I know that kind of progression is maybe a bit fast, and I understand some people will assume it’s because my kitchen isn’t very strong. In reality, I work with an incredibly talented team. I was so afraid to drag them down I just kept working until I could keep the pace. My chef has been very open about the possibility of me becoming the CDC within the next year or two if I stay on this path.
So should I stay where I am and potentially step into an executive role relatively early? Or is this the point where I should leave to diversify my experience before I become too comfortable in one kitchen?
some more context:
I’m in my early 20s
The restaurant group owns several concepts, and it’s common for chefs within the company to move into leadership positions at sister restaurants before hiring externally.
My current restaurant is widely considered one of the best in my area. If I wanted to challenge myself more i’d have to relocate.
I wouldn’t say im unhappy or think the job has become easy I just don’t want to regret not getting more experience while im young.
For those of you who’ve been in the industry longer than I have, when did you know it was time to leave your first kitchen? Is it better to chase experience early, or is there value in staying put if you’re still advancing?