Chefs in finland?

[Cyan]

Im a chef from Australia, and i very much want to move to Finland at the end of 2009, or early 2010.

I was just wondering if anyone has any idea what the food industry is like over there, and or, how difficult it is to secure hospitality work in Finland.... Particularly seeing as my Finnish will be basic at best by that stage.

Any help you could provide would be much appreciated.

[rinso]

It is going to be difficult.
You're not EU, so your (future) employer has to prove there are no EU chefs available for the job, before you can get a residence permit.
Due to several tv series, becoming a chef has been a popular training in Finland for some time. A lot of graduates don't find work as a chef. And in many places they hire trainees without culinary education and train them on the job (cheap )

Not being fluent in Finnish is not the main obstacle. You can learn the kitchen lingo fast enough. (I know a few non Finnish speaking chefs that have no problems) For many restaurants it can even be "trendy" to have a foreign chef.

[Cyan]

Interesting.

I didnt realize the EU had such an evil evil policy.

But, its not like im a new graduate without a clue, ive been cooking for 9 years now. Still, im not to proud to wash dishes if i have too... Ive spent the last 2.5 years in an international hotel, so im hoping that helps if i feel like looking inside hotels. Sadly, the company i work for (Hyatt) does not have hotels in Finland, or i could just transfer there

Ill have to look more into this EU residence permit thing....


Thanks - Just that one tidbit of information has saved me potential heartache!

[rinso]

I didnt realize the EU had such an evil evil policy.

For residence permits the worlds nationalities are divided in three:
First world: Finland and the Nordic countries.
Second world: EU
Third world: The rest.

But, its not like im a new graduate without a clue, ive been cooking for 9 years now.

Fresh graduates are cheap, experienced chefs not. You just have to look for an other market segment.
Basic problem remains the same.

Sadly, the company i work for (Hyatt) does not have hotels in Finland, or i could just transfer there

You could start in another EU (Schengen) country. Than with a permanent RP there, you could try your luck in Finland.

[Cyan]

You and i both know im going to run into finland full of hopes, dreams and aspirations.....







And then leave crushed, broken and torn down...





But still..... FINLAND!!!

[titaniumman]

Well, did you think about joining a different hotel chain for a year and then coming here working for the same company? Radisson Hotels has a lot in Australia and so it does here in Finland. Check this out http://www.radisson.com/hotels/au

Hope that helps a bit.

About coming here not being EU resident, yes it's difficult. I'm Spanish and when I came here in March 2007 I started working with a guy from Oregon. He had been here for the last 4 years, and still had problems trying to get tthe paper for the residence and all that crap. But hey, depending on your situation, take it easy, come if you have the opportunity. Even if you have some hard time here, I promise you will not regret spending some time here. And besides, every person is different, if you're nice at work and once you're here (even for seasonal work, three months), try to make as many contacts as possible, build your net, that will do a lot.

P.D.: The best moments for coming here are usually Summer or Christmas, looking for seasonal work (South Finland and Achipelago, and North Finland respectively)

[Rick1]

To my idea it is as difficult for EU-people to get into Australia.

[Cyan]

Well, did you think about joining a different hotel chain for a year and then coming here working for the same company? Radisson Hotels has a lot in Australia and so it does here in Finland. Check this out http://www.radisson.com/hotels/au

Hope that helps a bit.

About coming here not being EU resident, yes it's difficult. I'm Spanish and when I came here in March 2007 I started working with a guy from Oregon. He had been here for the last 4 years, and still had problems trying to get tthe paper for the residence and all that crap. But hey, depending on your situation, take it easy, come if you have the opportunity. Even if you have some hard time here, I promise you will not regret spending some time here. And besides, every person is different, if you're nice at work and once you're here (even for seasonal work, three months), try to make as many contacts as possible, build your net, that will do a lot.

P.D.: The best moments for coming here are usually Summer or Christmas, looking for seasonal work (South Finland and Achipelago, and North Finland respectively)

Hey thanks.


Sadly, theres no Radison hotels in Western Australia where i live, however, there is a Hilton and i know that there are Hilton hotels in Finland.
Im considering switching places of employment, however it would make saving the money needed to move over more difficult..... But like i said, im sure at least SOMEONE will hire me for any job...... Ill lift bags of concrete at a construction site if i have to!!!

My family comes from finland, and ive alllllways wanted to go there. The land of my ancestors calls out to me!!!

Guess ill just do my best to make as many contacts as possible before i go after, and while im there. I can stay for 90 days without a visa i do believe, or i could even apply for a working holiday visa, and stay for one year to see if i like it.

[Pursuivant]

if you can get the working holiday visa then that would be the thing to do. if you apply for a residence permit while you are in the country on a tourist visa they don't like that at all

[Cyan]

if you can get the working holiday visa then that would be the thing to do. if you apply for a residence permit while you are in the country on a tourist visa they don't like that at all

Actually, to be eligible for a working holiday visa, you need to provide proof you have already paid for a return flight ticket!!

However, while im there for the whole year on the WHV, if i cant secure enough contacts to engage in fulltime employment at the time my visa ends, then i know ill never work in Finland

Im gonna study my Finnish like a madman now, to improve my chances, so i dont have to walk around repeating:

Olen Rhys ja opettelen suomea, mutta olen silti aika huono.

[Pursuivant]

dunno, you just need to show you have a talent nobody else has - making kangaroo soup one thing also if you really think to stay here then getting a study place would further you - if nothing else you'd pocket a degree. just random ideas...

[Cyan]

dunno, you just need to show you have a talent nobody else has - making kangaroo soup one thing also if you really think to stay here then getting a study place would further you - if nothing else you'd pocket a degree. just random ideas...

Yes, these are quite good ideas.

Ive got between one and two years to check all my options fully, so im not terribly concerned...... Oh, and im quite good at cooking Kangaroo

Roast Kangaroo, rare, with Orange and red wine marmalade...




Or maybe Salmon sashimi with Kangaroo blood glaze, Australian crayfish (yabbies), basil risotto, Scallops and crocodile.

[onkko]

Post pictures of food not some weird pictures about something eatable.

[rinso]

Roast Kangaroo, rare, with Orange and red wine marmalade...




Or maybe Salmon sashimi with Kangaroo blood glaze, Australian crayfish (yabbies), basil risotto, Scallops and crocodile.

Fins are used to bigger portions

[Karhunkoski]

Cyan, suggest you come visit Finland and check out how many restaurants there are selling those types of dishes, then check how many people are sitting and eating in them. You would prolly have more success if you turned up with the skills to make a decent kebab.