Behind the Line: Greg Biggers
Topic: Your Career
Culinary School
Q: If you didn't go to culinary school, do you wish you had? Why or why not?
I went but did not graduate. I chose to go to see one of the last Morphine concerts the day before final exams and did not make it back to town in time for my finals. I was then offered a sous chef position at mccradys and did not go back.
Q: One of the key parts of culinary school is the internship/externship. If you went to culinary school, where were your most prominent internships?
I did an internship at a place called blossom cafe. It was the sister restaurant of the famous magnolia's. I did my internship as a baker. It was awesome. I learned how to bake bread and stayed there for a year or so.
Q: A lot is said about the allure of culinary schools. But are they really all that? How do you feel about the state of culinary schools in America today? How would you improve them, or would you change them at all?
I f I had to do it all over I would have begged to get in the door with Thomas Keller, Daniel, robuchon etc. A year in those kitchen seems like an equivalent of 4 years in a culinary school. Culinary schools doesn't set you up for the real world of being a professional chef.
Q: Studying abroad. One of the golden opportunities that comes with culinary education. Have you studied abroad for anything? If so, where? And what'd you do there?
No. I missed my chance. I think it is every young cooks dream to either cook in NYC or study abroad. I have always wanted to spend time in France and Italy doing stages. After working at morimoto I have wanted to work in Japan. Hopefully one day I can afford to go.
Q: Culinary school is a great place to carve early industry friendships. If you went to cul school, are you still in touch with any college comrades? How so?
Some of the best friends I have were made in culinary school. Jared Van Camp of Nelle cote and I were roommates in Culinary school. After culinary school Jared and I meet back up in Chicago and lived together in a very small apartment very dangerous part of uptown. I landed a job at TRU and he at Blackbird. Those were some very poor days for the two of us.