Hi , if you have been a chef for so long you are obviously very good at what you do.
So could you not think of setting up your own business, and doing catering as a company for special events like weddings , parties etc.
You could keep your day job until things develop and then branch out a bit.Some people will pay the earth to have their catering done for them , in spite of the credit crunch.
Or what about working in a College of Further Education and pass on your skills that way?
Or do some volunteer work in your spare time , maybe at a C.A.B until you find what interests you, and then go for it.
The very best of luck, lets know what happens.