by Kathleen Lynn

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: February 02, 2009

All the planning for your career and studying while in school finally paid off. You have the certification or degree from your education at culinary school in your hands. But where does one go from here? How does one break into the restaurant business?

Many choose to work as assistants to head chefs and continue to learn practical tools of the trade as they are applied. Taking a year or two to study under someone you admire or appreciate will only make your skills that much more viable when it is finally your turn to be the head chef. Working under someone with a wide variety of knowledge in the business will prepare you for taking your own position.

Another advantage to working under another head chef is that it will build your resume. That experience will count as workforce experience in addition to your formal education. Employers tend to want a good mix of both of these things when they are hiring for an important position like head chef.

Once you have gained the knowledge and confidence working under a head chef can give you, it is time to look at where you want to be with your skills. Look at where the job market is heading and decide if you want to continue in the restaurant industry or work for a catering company. Or perhaps working in a private home as chef would be more your style.

Decide which of the options is most appealing to you. You have built your resume with your education and work experience, now use that resume to sell yourself. Eventually it may even be your goal to someday break off from working under someone else and own your own food business. This goal is very attainable with a lot of hard work early on and some preparation.

Working as a head chef at a restaurant or a catering company is bound to give you knowledge and experience that would be useful to the overall goal of being your own boss. It will also provide you with a steady source of income that you can adjust and set back portions of toward your goals. Decide what you want to do in your culinary career and start taking steps after school to make it happen.

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