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Chef

Culinary: The Gilded Otter, New Paltz, NY
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Ready to cook up a new career?

Are you the type that knows simmer from sauté? Saffron from semifreddo? Well, get prepared to stir things up a little with VocationVacations® and our Chef package with Larry Chu of The Gilded Otter!

The Gilded Otter is a beautiful lodge-style restaurant/brew pub in historic New Paltz, NY. The gorgeous Hudson Valley setting overlooks incredible views of the Wallkill River and Shawangunk cliffs. Named for a ship that first brought in French Huguenots, the Gilded Otter has remarkable architecture, a lively atmosphere (especially on Friday and Saturday nights, when there is live music), mouthwatering food and a large selection of fresh, handcrafted beers.

This award-winning establishment features a brewery (located in the middle of the restaurant) where beer goes from vat to bar tap, along with an excellent and eclectic menu. Pub favorites like specialty pizzas, nachos, and spring rolls are served up along with innovative entrees like Shawagunk Jambalaya, Asian Salmon Burgers and Pork Paprikash.

Executive Chef Larry Chu is known for his energy, creative talent and impressive experience in the culinary arts. He grew up in Brazil and Arizona and has worked and traveled all over the world. Stints at some of the finest restaurants, like L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, L’Esperance Sous Vezelay (with Marc Meneau) and Union Square Cafe of New York City have influenced Larry. He originally earned a degree in anthropology from Hartwick College before graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. All along he has worked in restaurants, challenging himself and steadily advancing his skills. Chef Larry’s amazing style and “fusion food” - where fun and imaginative ingredients get combined with classic cuisine – delight the variety of patrons who frequent The Gilded Otter

Here's what a recent Vocationer had to say about their VocationVacation with Chef Larry Chu of the Gilded Otter:

“Kudos to Larry for being such a wonderful mentor.  He took the time to set up meetings for me with the other important people at the restaurant.  I really got an inside look at everything. It was an incredible experience, and I am now looking into the possibility of restaurant/bar ownership. Everyone should take a VocationVacation at some point in their life.”
Kim Farkas, Henderson, NV

During your Chef VocationVacations® dream job holiday, Larry Chu of The Gilded Otter will lead you through some or all of the following Chef-related activities:

  • Create & price menus
  • Design menu and coordinate wines for monthly wine dinner
  • Participate in wine tastings with wine purveyors
  • Plan staffing for the kitchen
  • Prepare cooking schedule
  • Set up activities for lunch and dinner
  • Learn safe handling of food
  • Participate in demonstration of knife skills and proper cutting techniques
  • Prepare food
  • Coordinate staff jobs
  • Set up dining room
  • Customer service – greet and seat guests and take orders
  • Serve guests
  • Customer relations – discuss appropriate communication by phone, taking reservations, answering guest questions and addressing concerns/complaints
  • Troubleshoot “crash & burn” periods in the kitchen Define policy and procedures
  • Plan parties and/or special events
  • Receive guidance on the opening of a new restaurant – to include licenses, decor, staffing, creating and pricing menus, wine lists, creating (evolving) philosophies and all else that goes into the development of a successful restaurant business.
The Chef/Restaurateur VocationVacations® experience includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a Chef/Restaurateur
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holiday weekends

Price: $849 Per Person

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Suggested Accommodations

Minnewaska Lodge

Mohonk Mountain House

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations adventure:

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full paymvent of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.