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

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

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?!

I'd probably give someone a job if fish pie was involved, parsley or not.

OHMYGODI'VEGOTANINTERVIEW!

On Friday at 10am! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Whoop whoop!!!

Are you going to take cake?

Definitely going to take a cake! What sort though? And what do I wear?!

The manager sounded lovely, she said "you sound just like what we are looking for" Awwww.

That's so positive. When my new employers rang me for interview - they asked me what day I wanted to come, and what time - whatever was best for me. Knew from then that I had a good chance!

Cake wise, perhaps some sort of tray bake - that can be easily scaled up? Or some pastries? I would go for simple but tasty definitely, as budget will be tiny.

Traybake might be a good one. I can knock up quite a good bakewell tart traybake...

Do a cake which would be suitable for the residents - no nuts, lots of older people like fruit cake, but it is the marmite of the cake world. Maybe a Victoria Sandwich?Boring but safe.

Yes! Traditional would be good.

Bakewell sounds good too.

I did think a Vicki sponge! Everyone likes a Vicki sponge (except for my mother )

Oh and congratulations & good luck!

Good if they've got dentures - residents not interviewers. Shows you've thought about it. When I worked in nursing home the residents liked traditional and fairly bland food generally.

brilliant well done!

Awwww, bless them.

I can do bland food as well!

Well done and good luck

Bonne chance!

I reckon you'll get it.

Thank you

Huzzah! Exciting times!

You definitely can't go wrong with a good ol' vicky sponge. But the oldies do love a cherry bakewell too so you could be on to a winner there, not so predictable. Playing a wild card like a baking renegade

Good luck!

Thanks Randall!

Have settled in bakewell, to ice or not ice is the question, though...

Scones - can make in huge batches and freeze. Once you've got the basic mixture you can divvy it up into batches of plain, fruit and cheese.

Tray bakes are the absolute staple of big batch cooking as well.

Viccy sponge v nice, but fiddly to scale up if you're already up to your eyeballs in lunch etc. Remember it's unlikely you'll have the luxury of time....

This is true Highlander... was just thinking of something to show off my baking prowess at the interview

Did think of scones too. I bloody love a scone, me...

Wonderful news about interview Marmalade .
My mum is in a care home and mealtime is so important to break up the day. Nice food and home baking is mega important and you sound perfect .
I imagine it is hard work but heck lass .......you would be making such a difference to the residents quality of life and that is immeasurable .
I kid you not .
Good luck .

Well done great news.
Could you take a selection in, instead of one big cake? To show them that you are versatile?
Fingers crossed for you

Awww, that's lovely Basset. Thank you! :)

My mum used to do the same job as I am applying for (at a bigger, council-run home) and with the cuts, they got rid of the kitchen. My mum still pops in occasionally to see the staff and residents and she said a lot of them cry because they miss her and her cooking. They've replaced home cooking with meals on wheels, to be eaten in their rooms. So sad. It was the only social life that a lot of the residents got. Poor folk. :(

Still though. She's a deli chef now and gets the perk of bringing home pies/sandwich fillings etc that haven't sold, so every cloud...

Hurray! When's your interview?