Pursuing Culinary Jobs
By Austin Brentley
austin.brentley@chefschoolreview.com
Chef School Review Columnist
As city populations continue to grow and dining preferences become more sophisticated, it makes sense that culinary jobs will increase. Not only are there more people out there to feed, but there are also more people out there who don’t have time to feed themselves. Increasingly, people are working longer hours and they prefer to rely on others to prepare their meals for them.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that culinary employment growth in the future will be spurred by increases in population, household income, and leisure time. And because the number of busy two-income families is growing, more households are dining out.
Meeting the Demand for More Culinary Jobs
If you want to help meet the demand for more culinary jobs, securing an education in this field will prove extremely advantageous. While it’s true that many professional chefs manage to rise to the top without much formal training, the vast majority of employers will want to see credentials before they offer you a position as a chef or head cook in their kitchens. That is why going to school and getting the culinary education is a wise investment.
Types of Degrees
Culinary schools offer a wide variety of degrees. You can earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, a culinary arts certificate, or obtain vocational training. The most popular options are the degree options, with an associate’s degree taking from nine months to two years to complete, and a bachelor’s degree taking three years on average to obtain. Coursework is generally offered at three different levels, with level one consisting of basic classes, level two for experienced cooks, and level three for professional-level curricula.
Paying for a Culinary Education
A lot of people are surprised to find out how affordable a culinary education actually is. This is especially true if you attend an online culinary school because you won’t have additional travel and living expenses above what you normally have at your home.
Keep Your Day Job While You Learn New Skills
The education you can receive from Internet-based distance learning is convenient—you can attend classes from home. And because you can design your own schedule, you can move at your own pace.
About the Author
A freelance writer and researcher, Austin Brentley currently lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand. His previous experience includes working for a lobbying firm in his native Washington, DC, teaching English in Japan, and working for various record and television studios in New York. Austin holds a B.A. in history.
Posted on March 7, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Earlier: All About Olive Oil: A Culinary Class
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