Are Manhattan Restaurants Starving For More Chefs?

Word on the street is New York doesn't have a perceived overflow of chefs, cooks and other kitchen staff. In fact, there's a shortage that's hurtling straight for "dire situation."

According to a report on WNYC, the number of restaurants in the city is up 19% from 2008 to more than 6,000 total. That means more competition than ever in a market that has always needed chefs of a certain level of experience — we're a discerning bunch. Combined with an hourly wage that can't hope to compete with other industries (kitchen staff makes $10-12 an hour to start, on average), restaurants are struggling to find qualified applicants willing to commute, due to the high cost of living in the city.

Is it finally getting too expensive (and crowded) to live the dream of being a chef in the city?

Here's the full report:

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