The culinary industry has great potential, and for chefs and head chefs, the outlook is just as promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor market is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade, with an additional 28,000 jobs created. So, if you're considering a career in the culinary arts because of its glamour and fame, you may want to think twice before taking the plunge. It's important to have a realistic view of what you're getting into.
The work can be demanding, requiring long hours, repetition, and working under tight time limits. The chef, managers, and owners may not always be the most pleasant people to work with, and some of your colleagues may be rude and difficult to get along with. There may also be alcohol or drug abuse issues that can affect the atmosphere in the facility. The good news is that there are reputable chefs and restaurateurs who can guide you and help you learn and grow in the field.
They maintain a respectful business that does not tolerate harassment or hostility in their workplace and attract like-minded employees. These are the people you want to work for when it comes to developing your culinary career. Chef career opportunities include catering, fine restaurants, franchises, hotels and many other food-related environments. No matter where you find a job as a chef, culinary arts education provides the backbone of the knowledge and skills that will help you land your first position. My advice is to find someone who does what you would like to do and ask them how they got there.
If it seems sustainable, you can go after it and see if it feels right for you. Getting a summer job is a great way to gain some experience and learn about the industry. I worked in a bakery for three months (I loved the hours because it was so quiet, but I decided I wanted to do other things - I learned my lesson and I'm glad I did). Larger restaurants and food service establishments tend to have a lot of employees, giving you the opportunity to establish new friendships with co-workers, people you might never have met otherwise. Within shopping malls and food halls, businesses are classified into different zones so that consumers can find all the concepts of fast and informal food together, all the fine dining establishments together and all the bars and pubs together. In connection with the trend towards food waste reduction, there is an increasing preference for compostable and biodegradable packaging over single-use plastic containers which are extremely wasteful.
In the food and beverage industry, it's up to staff to attract people to the establishment and bring them back again; creativity goes a long way in achieving this.
