If You Can't Beat'Em, Judge'Em

So you're a disaster in the kitchen. You can't cook to save your life. You can't carry trays of food. You're no good at taking orders. This doesn't necessarily mean that you can't work in the food industry. Have you ever considered pursuing critic jobs at your local newspaper?

The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (CHIC) prepares more students in the Chicago area for successful careers in food service than any other culinary school � using the traditional, European hands-on approach to culinary education that was previously difficult to obtain in the Midwest. Affiliated with the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, CHIC combines classical cooking techniques with leading-edge American technology.

What Does a Food Critic Do Exactly?

You might be asking yourself what critic jobs entail exactly. In a nutshell, you go to area restaurants, sample their cuisine, and write a review of your experience. Of course, it's not as easy as all that. After all, if you write a series of poor reviews that do not reflect reality, your days as a food critic will be short-lived.

Few Jobs Give You Comparable Perks

Assuming you are a decent writer, and you have a discerning palate, becoming a food critic is truly an option worth considering. Few jobs offer as much exposure, as much delicious food, or as many perks as this one does. Rather that work in a cubicle all day, you could tour around town, socialize with very interesting people, and eat most of your meals on the house. You might spend just a few hours the next day gathering up your notes and writing an article, but by and large, critic jobs are pretty relaxed and enjoyable.

If Critic Jobs Are so Fun, Why Doesn't Everyone Do It?

Good question. The truth of the matter is, it takes a while to build up credibility and contacts. Becoming a food critic takes some time and commitment in the beginning. But it is well worth the investment. If you are at all interested in pursuing food critic jobs, you should start submitting freelance articles and reviews to your local newspapers. Build up a rapport with the writing and editing staff there. Offer to scout out new locations and write reviews for free. If you truly have a gift for reviewing fine food, followers and job offers will come.

About the Author

A freelance writer and researcher, Austin Brentley is an English teacher currently living and working in Yamaguchi, Japan. His previous experience includes working for a lobbying firm in his native Washington, DC and working for various record and television studios in New York. Austin holds a B.A. in history

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