Hey @marmaladejam1 you did reply post with an emoji - I acknowledge that.
I wrote my story about how I started my own food business and how it worked around family life and no drugs were involved.
Other people have also mentioned that they have other food related businesses.
I agree Food Science might not be appropriate for your son but not every chef job is Hell's Kitchen style with shouting and screaming and cocaine on the pass. You seem obsessed with the drug angle. Is there a reason for this?
I have done private catering - everything from dinner parties, to weddings, to batch cooking for people who are infirm - and I got paid for all of these jobs. No drugs in sight. Nice clients, calm working environment. I did menu planning, nutritional recommendations, costing, procurement of ingredients, clean up etc
I was never so happy in my life. No drugs at all involved. Just enjoying my work.
I guess I am just challenging your view of a chef because you seem absolutely certain it will end in drug/alcohol abuse and it will be ruinous for your son whereas I would have thought you would want to actually engage more fully with your son's interest by discussing other alternatives and helping him figure out how best to live out his passion while obviously maintaining a stable ecomonic and financial lifestyle.
Hence, referring to my previous post, I asked you to look at how first and foremost he should get some actual real live experience in a pro kitchen which is nothing like cooking at home. This should be the number one priority in my view.
I would be looking at how he can gain qualifications, go to culinary school perhaps, travel to learn about a specific cuisine in depth, or start talking to him about starting his own business.
I could be wrong but you just seem so closed to the idea. This might not work out that well in the end, I fear.
That said, I do understand your concerns (although the drugs bit is a bit exaggerated IMHO) but I was trying to make the point that it might be better to explore a bit more.
He might return to the same conclusion that you have that it's not a great career. That is much better than stifling someone's dream and all the impacts that will have on the relationship. I am speaking from experience and not trying to attack you.
I wish you and your son the best.