Love to hate cooking

Last year, I decided to move to NYC. Wanted to fulfill my childhood dreams. I've been a professional cook for 8 years. I graduated with an associate's degree with a culinary program. I am straightforward and you get what you see. I have always been a team player, hardworker, and dedicated. I have never experienced such horrible times finding a job. I probably went on 15 interviews/trails since I moved here. I got four jobs that did not work out after all. I don't want to mention any names, only cause the people I worked for have been very nice and understanding. They are just trying to run their business... I am posting this for the business owners to try and understand what it is like for a person who needs to go on these interviews/trails. Going on interviews in NYC is extremely hard... If someone is looking for a job, they most likely don't have much money to pay for the commute to go an interview, then another day to trail, and work for free for 5-6 hours. If you have people come in and work for free in a trail for 5-6 hours or however long you have them there for, at least have the courtesy or balls to call the people back and thank them for the time they put into working for you for free for the day. Is it illegal to have people work for you for free? Also, if you are going to hire the person you had trailing for the day, PAY THEM. They still deserve that day...