Le Cordon Bleu College Of Culinary Arts Didn't help me get the job they promised, lied about my pay, and starting position big ripoff. Los Angeles, California

 They made me feel like I had to qualify to get into the school but it was all a sham. They give you this basic math test that even a retard can pass. I was really excited at first I watched all the students cooking and it was the type of job I was looking for. During the enrollment I had many questions because I knew the school was expensive.

They told me that I would be able to travel to France and train under the masters during my externship and that I would be able to cook for the Oscars. I'm really excited now whats next???? I asked about the pay and the position I would get after graduation. I was told graduates made anywhere from $14.00 - $20.00 per hour,  that sounded satisfactory to me. They lead me to believe that I would be a Chef after my graduation. My first resume that the schools career counselor Jennifer Johnson helped me put that I was a Chef.

This was very humiliating on my first interview when A real Chef told me what was really going on. I had an interview at the Hollywood Den and the Head Chef said "look man were not hiring for Chef and I'm sorry to tell you this, but it pisses me off that they send people like you who have no idea whats going on but it takes years and years of blood, sweat and tears to become a Chef".

I attended Le Cordon Bleu for the nine month program which costs 24,000. The classes were very crowded, there were 30 students in my class.Thus making it very difficult to get the hands on training I was promised. Many of the instructors were still paying off student loans themselves. Out of the 30 students there was only one success story but this guy was a Chef before he attended the school so that makes sense right?? The Oscars never happened neither did traveling to France. I ended up doing my externship at Sodexho making French fries and salads.

 Many people asked what a Le Cordon Bleu student was doing working in a cafeteria and I said I'm doing my externship. Many of the customers would laugh but they felt sorry for me because at that point I was feeling like maybe this was a huge ripoff.

After my graduation it was very difficult for me to find a job because most places want years of experience before they even consider hiring you. I went to talk to Jennifer Johnson and she mentioned Tender Greens. I went to Tender Greens and was hired immediately. The pay started at 9.00 per hour, however I couldn't even get 40 hours. Most of my co-workers were illegal aliens who had never been to school and they were getting the same pay as I was. Hey wait I went to Le Cordon Bleu the prestigious school who promised me big bucks.

I decided to go look for a fine dining job only to find out that the pay was no better. I found that most Chefs only make $16,000 - $24,000 per year and they work ridiculous long hours. I am now working at Panda Express the pay is still low and they don't care that I have a Le Cordon Bleu certificate. I am still in debt paying off my $24,000 school loan. I hope that people research this school before attending. You can go to a community college or wash dishes and work your way up to cook. Nobody cares about Le Cordon Bleu. The School told me that with the certificate I would be able to demand more pay and that's a big joke. My dreams are crushed I can't go back to school and I'm stuck making a little more than minimum wage.  Brady Portland, Oregon