New generations of graduates from culinary institutions are facing varied, yet interesting career paths. Eager and anxious aspiring chefs may be tempted to run their own restaurant, but chef/proprietor comes after years of experience. In the meanwhile, consider the following opportunities:
Apprenticing.
Many chefs begin their culinary careers as apprentices. Landing an apprentice gig with a master chef is a wonderful opportunity to advance your career goals.
Speak to the chef of your choice about an apprenticeship position. Sell yourself to the chef while demonstrating, passion, imagination, and spirit. Basic skills like preparing food and shopping for food are essential, so is the willingness to learn.
Apprenticing under a top chef prepares you for long workdays ahead and for how successful kitchens are run. Acquired skills, like temperament, are learned from working closely with the chef.
Finding a Job.
Many of today's top chefs began their careers like most people - at the bottom. Emeril Legasse washed pots and pans at a bakery. Despite the extensive training, it's common to find graduates working as cashiers at a coffee shop, salad-makers at a deli, or as wait staff.
Later, target your interests. If you like Contemporary American Cuisine (think grilled octopus, braised foie gras, and strawberry-zinfandel consomm), find a chef who is willing to mentor you.
Trailing.
Trailing involves working for free. Work schedules are mild, perhaps just one shift. In exchange for pay, your responsibilities in the restaurant invites you to observe, ask questions, and help where needed.
Catering.
It takes time to become an experienced caterer. But starting a business from home by catering small dinner parties, birthday parties, receptions, and showers for family and friends will give you valuable experience, and a tidy income.
Catering a five-course meal can overwhelm. But if your specialty is sandwiches, or veggie burgers, or cupcakes, and these are items your make regularly anyway, you can take advantage of this opportunity to carve out a new career.
Food styling.
Few courses are available in food styling. If you have a creative eye, this may be the job for you. Food stylists use clever visual techniques and props to make food or drinks look aesthetic. Foods are uniquely styled to evoke sentiments like 'just baked', 'fresh', 'heavenly', 'succulent', or 'juicy' to enhance the appeal of foods in advertisements.
Teaching.
Education is the best teacher. Employ your culinary skills to teach other students and to share your knowledge about culinary arts. You can approach community colleges about offering cooking classes as part of the school's continuing education curriculum. As well, you might find it exciting to become the chef-du-jour by providing hand-on demonstrations straight from your kitchen.
More career opportunities worth investigating includes cookbook authors, food critics, food writers, and product testers.