a well worn question i'm sure, but please give me advice

[ava]

ok, so.......
I'm 28, a chef, plenty of good experience and the basic qualifications. I could easily take on a sous chef or head chef (small estabishment)
I am in the middle of a huge life upheaval and all I want to do is be where I most feel at home and happy which is with friends in the USA
I am a UK citizen.
I have read plenty of stuff online but it is all so comple and baffling, where on earth do I start?
Is it possible to enter the US on any kind of semi permanent basis without a job offer?
if the answer is no then what is the best way to find a job in the USA?
would I have to be in the USA for interviews etc?
I know many people will have bothered you with these questions but please be patient and help me.
If my friends could help me they would and I would be there right now, but none of us have any idea where to begin.
Thanks
A

[ForgetfulRainn]

Since nobody answered, I'll give it a try.

You can't enter the USA on a semi-permanent basis without a job, or other things like a fiancée, or something. As a tourist, you can go there 3 months, but then you're not allowed to look for work as a tourist.

With your qualifications and experience, you should be able to go for an "H1B" visa, a work visa, but know that most of these are already filled for for the year 2009, and you'd have to wait until 2010, and even then it'd not be sure.

Another way is to get one of the "non-cap" visas, which are unlimited visas, and for which you can apply any time. Those are for non-profit organisations; I suppose you could be a cook in one of those, like a hospital or any governmental institution, or any organisation that isn't profit-driven.

Job interviews can be done over the phone. I don't know if that would be successful, but there are sites out there specified in getting H1B job offers and the likes.

Another possibility, perhaps, would be to get hired by one of your friends, like a private cook or something. Once you're in the country on that work visa, you can look for another job, and being on the spot will help. To get another job, you must get another H1B visa, just like for the first. It's perfectly legal, and you can then drop the first one.

If you consider this option, I may help somewhat, with directions. I hope this helped!