Discussion

Hi everyone,

I'm a 30-year-old grill cook from Greece with 13 years of experience working in high-volume restaurants. Most of my career has been on the grill, preparing gyros, souvlaki, burgers, steaks, and other grilled meats in fast-paced kitchens. I'm used to long shifts, hard work, and busy services.

For a long time, I've been thinking about building a life outside of Greece, and the United States is one of the countries I'm seriously considering.

I'd really like to hear from people who actually work in the US restaurant industry.

I have a few questions:

• What is a realistic hourly wage for an experienced grill cook?

• After rent, taxes, insurance, and everyday living expenses, is it actually possible to save a good amount of money?

• Which states or cities offer the best balance between wages, job opportunities, and cost of living?

• How common is visa sponsorship for experienced kitchen workers? Does it happen often enough to be a realistic goal?

• If you were in my position, would you pursue the US, or would you recommend another country instead?

I'm not looking for shortcuts. I'm willing to work hard, continue learning, and start wherever I need to if it leads to a better long-term future.

I'd really appreciate honest advice from people with first-hand experience.

Thank you!