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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I want to apply for a job that I know I would be good at but have no formal training for. Am I mad?

334 replies

MarmaladeTwatkins · 28/07/2013 18:50

It's a catering job at a residential home, just cooking proper home-cooked meals for 22 residents and baking cakes/pastries.

Not blowing my own trumpet, but I am a good cook and can make naice cakes. I would love to work in a job with food and this one would be perfect for me... at the bottom of my street, nice hours that fit in with school runs... but I have no formal experience. The job description says previous experience preferred and baking experience essential. Well, I have baked all sorts of cakes but not in a professional capacity.

I haven't applied for a job in over ten years and feel a bit out of my depth, pathetic as it sounds. Do you think it's even worth me applying?!

OP posts:
ChippingInHopHopHop · 28/07/2013 19:17

Definitely add the photos!!

Eilidhbelle · 28/07/2013 19:17

Definitely go for it! Can you not just...embellish what you've done? So if you've made cakes for family parties, say you were commissioned to do it etc? Have you got photos you could take with you?

Not sure about taking a cake though, I think it might come across as a bit desperate, maybe? But you'll know better than me how well it will go down!

CailinDana · 28/07/2013 19:18

I applied for a job last year that i had zero direct experience for. I bigged up the knowledge i have that i felt was relevant and did something of a smartass application (something like your cake idea) which was a risk but it totally paid off. Love the job and am being promoted in a couple of months :) Go for it!

Eilidhbelle · 28/07/2013 19:19

Sorry, x-posted on the photos!

wonderingsoul · 28/07/2013 19:21

go for it.

apply and wow them and show them you are driven .
i agree bring a cake or two with you to show how good you are :D

good luck

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 28/07/2013 19:22

Ahhh, thanks for the encouragement everyone!

I am definitely going to do it. What have I to lose apart from 2 sheets of A4 and a five minute wander down the road? :)

OP posts:
mumandboys123 · 28/07/2013 19:23

Hand deliver the application with a cake?

VerlaineChasedRimbauds · 28/07/2013 19:23

I'd be inclined to do the Food Hygiene Certificate before you do the application (or at least state that you have it). You can do it on-line and can keep doing it until you get it right Grin and it doesn't cost much. You can download the certificate. It's so easy that I think saying you "will" do it rather than you "have" done it will not look so good, if you see what I mean.

I do think that there's a lot you have to offer - and the more effort you put in to the application, the more likely they are to give you a chance. it probably depends who runs the place.

CailinDana · 28/07/2013 19:38

Some other ideas to help your application:
Research what sort of budget they're likely to have and have some meal ideas ready.
Reasearch food allergies and what replacements you could provide
Research feeding problems in the elderly and what provisions you might have to make
Have some knowledge of the health problems the residents might have (eg dementia)

GetStuffezd · 28/07/2013 19:40

It's never, ever crazy to apply for a job you're passionate about and would be good at. What would be crazy is dithering over applying, missing the deadline then wishing you'd had the balls to apply!

Definitely build a portfolio of pictures of your food, and get a cracking application letter together.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 28/07/2013 19:53

If I fib and say that I DO have the FHC then do it later, will the certificate be dated and will I trip myself up?!

OP posts:
GetStuffezd · 28/07/2013 19:55

Probably. Could you say you're in the process of attaining it?

ChippingInHopHopHop · 28/07/2013 19:58

Yes. Don't do that.

Someone above said you can do it online - why not do it tonight??

lougle · 28/07/2013 20:02

I worked in a Care Home where the nursing auxilliaries were required to cook breakfast and the evening meal. The evening meal would either be something supplied by the Cook - a pre-prepared one pot meal, or a simple dinner like beans on toast.

By far the hardest thing to scale up is a simple dinner such as beans on toast. 44 slices of toast, all needing to be warm at the same time, plus a pan with 44 portions of beans. Absolute nightmare. Only slightly better than 44 cooked breakfasts over two floors.

With that in mind, think of the sorts of nutritious and scalable dishes you could prepare, that go easily into a single gastronorm container.

The other thing to look at/think about is the different food textures you will need to produce - some residents will need soft mashed food, others will need pureed food, etc. So think about how you would accommodate that in the food, or what alternative you would produce alongside the main dish to allow the correct texture.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 28/07/2013 20:43

OK, I will do it tonight! Just found one that is accredited by most councils.

Just thought though, I am such a durrbrain... when I was a student, I worked in a pub. I did basic catering there i.e making vats of curries/chillies/shepherd's pie and soups/sandwiches. That looks better on the old CV than nowt!

Lougle, good thinking. Logistics are a nightmare in a kitchen. Just trying to remember what I used to cook for my gran when I had to make soft/mushy food for her...

OP posts:
SugarMouse1 · 28/07/2013 21:55

No, YNBU at all, its quite brave and it would be good if more people like you could go for things even when they don't have experience!

Good Luck!

LindyHemming · 28/07/2013 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BridgetBidet · 28/07/2013 22:17

You're not mad but you won't get it. You have no idea of the hygiene regulations. I bet you don't know which colour knife or board to cut meat or vegetables on do you? More important than it sounds, it stops poisoning and contamination. It's not the cooking qualifications you need, it's the hygiene ones and you won't get a job without that.

Also the way the jobs market is at the moment employers can pick and choose and won't choose someone untrained.

Apply away, you won't get it. Sorry to be harsh but I would rather someone told you the truth before you went to a lot of trouble. Perhaps you should look into food hygiene qualifications?

BridgetBidet · 28/07/2013 22:19

Marmalade, they will check that before you start. If they don't they're a dodgy outfit you wouldn't want to work for. Do your FHC and then apply.

Beastofburden · 28/07/2013 22:21

Take cake and piccies. Offer them a week as a volunteer if they would like a longer period to test you out.

Beastofburden · 28/07/2013 22:22

But yes yes t food hygiene, Bridget is completely right. They have to follow the rules.

Beastofburden · 28/07/2013 22:24

Sorry multiple posts, FFs don't fib about already having the food safety thingy, and you nuts?

exoticfruits · 28/07/2013 22:25

You can look up the rules online- I wouldn't be defeatist before you start- there is nothing to lose by applying.

WorraLiberty · 28/07/2013 22:32

I would definitely bring some food samples...both sweet and savoury.

I reckon that'll really make you stand out from the others.

Good luck.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 28/07/2013 22:36

I do know about the chopping boards.

It's;

Brown - vegetables
Red - raw meat
Blue- raw fish
Yellow - cooked meat
White - dairy products/bread
Green - fruit and salad.

Also, remember about cross-contamination and chilling from cooking in the pub.

TBH, it does say in the description, experience preferred. Not essential. I'll apply, if I don't get it, I don't get it.

OP posts: