How to Start a Career in Cooking

Are Culinary Schools a Good Career Choice?

Sep 25, 2009 Marian Henderson

Some schools are designed specifically to give students opportunities for employment at the end of the education. Culinary cooking schools provide just such an education.

Culinary cooking schools appeal to individuals seeking practical job skills and gainful employment. With the high cost of living, finding a niche in a long-lasting and profitable profession is an economic necessity.

But for an individual who has accumulated the necessary funds to pursue an education, is attendance of a culinary arts school a good decision? Schools and colleges are vying for students and each school offers specific benefits. Is culinary cooking school a good option to choose?

Culinary School – One of the Better Choices

The best choice, of course, depends on individual needs and preferences; however attendance of culinary arts schools is one of the better choices if one opts for an education that is likely to lead to gainful employment. The article “Cooking up a new Career” from the MSNBC careers and business section proclaims that “Restaurants alone expected to add 1.8 million jobs in the next 10 years."

The article’s author, Eve Tahmincioglu, goes on to say that “more and more laid-off workers, those switching careers and young people just starting out are contemplating jobs in the food industry.” From the high school graduate looking for a job to the laid off worker looking for a new career, a culinary school provides a good career option.

Culinary Students Job Opportunities

After graduation from a culinary cooking school what are the odds of employment? “Food is the second-largest employer after the federal government,” says Irena Chalmers, author of Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers [Beaufort Books, 2008], according to Tahmincioglu who quotes Chalmers in her article. The food industry is projected to continue growing until at least 2017.

Culinary School, Cooking as a Career

Is cooking really a good career choice? The aptly titled article, “Interest in cooking heats up in lousy economy,” has the observation that “The (culinary) courses can cost hundreds of dollars – seemingly a tough sell at a time when so many people are scrutinizing nonessential expenses. But the school's president, Rick Smilow, says the investment pays off in the long run” (2009). Cooking is a good career choice for the individual who is interested in the culinary arts and can lead to many different career paths in the food industry.

Cooking Career Choices

A career in the culinary arts is not limited to being a chef. A culinary arts education can lead to employment in many establishments where food is prepared for large numbers of people; there are also opportunities in areas such as business management and nutritional content and development of menus in the food industry. The cooking job opportunities range from jobs in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and individual homes to prisons, bakeries, and restaurants. Everybody has to eat.

Individuals who are searching for gainful employment and a practical career should consider attending a culinary cooking school. “The National Restaurant Association notes that an estimated 12.8 million people make the restaurant industry the second-largest industry next to government. Two million more jobs will be added by 2017 for a total of 14.8 people employed in the industry” (Culinary Schools).

Cooking Schools

A career in the food industry is appealing to many individuals in the present day economy. Interested individuals should do some research, and determine if there is a niche in the field that fits their particular skills and interests. Virtually hundreds of cooking schools offer courses.

Interested individuals need to investigate and determine whether culinary schools that they are considering attending are reputable, have programs that meet their needs, offer employment assistance, and determine whether financial aid can be arranged by the school if necessary for attendance.

The range of jobs in the food industry is enormous. The first step in this career choice is attendance of a culinary school. The industry is growing at a rapid pace, and the individual who is asking, "what is a good career?" should consider this industry. For the individual who is searching for employment opportunities, this is a practical career consideration.

References

Tahmincioglu, E. "Cooking up a new career in the food industry." Your Career. MSNBC.com. 2009.

"Interest in cooking heats up in lousy economy." Associated Press. Business and Retail. MSNBC.com. 2009.

The copyright of the article How to Start a Career in Cooking in Career Advice is owned by Marian Henderson. Permission to republish How to Start a Career in Cooking in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Culinary Arts School	Cooking School Homework	Baking School
Chef School	School of Culinary Arts

What do you think about this article?

---

NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.

post your comment

What is 2+8?

Comments

Oct 31, 2009 2:46 AM

Guest :

Nice post, Culinary cooking schools are the better choice to choose among the others. I like Tahmincioglu article on <a href="http://www.foodindustrycareers.co.uk">Food Jobs</a> as MSNBC. You have expalined a lot on culinary schools.

1 Comment: