[2ndDivisionVet]

Yet most executive chefs are well into the six figures.

[1rudeboy]

But in order to get to those six figures, most executive chefs have worked more hours than some people do in a lifetime.

[JRandomFreeper]

Yet most executive chefs are well into the six figures.

HORSE PUCKEY. Been there, done that. Unless you own the restaurant, mid 70's is about tops around here.

A culinary school graduate that lands a job as a kitchen manager/chef/everything else can expect maybe $12/hr out of school.

And standing on your feet (there are no chairs in kitchens) for 17 hours a day can wreck your health.

My degree and skills get me cushy little party gigs where I get free booze, good food, and get to meet interesting people that I don't have to kill.

I pay the bills another way.

/johnny

[bgill]

and are now in their 40s and retiring from the government, but are too old to retire

If you're too old at 40 to retire then life stinks.

[Ciexyz]

Even 30 years ago, numerous vets exiting the military would head for cuisine programs. The craft back then never got the publicity it gets today.