Culinary Career

Culinary professionals are in demand from a wide variety of employers. Not only are there local bakeries and catering companies, many hotels, casinos, cruise lines, bistros and restaurants also employ pastry chefs. So you can see employment opportunities are vast. If you are more of an entrepreneur, your skills as can be the basis for your own bakery business. Owning your own business may be more stressful but it is also very rewarding. You can set your own hours and create signature desserts and dishes as you please.To get an idea of just some of the positions found within the food industry, consider the following jobs and careers below:
Restaurant Manager-It takes a lot of patience to oversee the general operations of a restaurant, which may involve guiding the staff, evaluating inventory, buying equipment and supplies, as well as making sure customer service is top-notch. Knowledge of food and beverage regulations is a must within this business field. At times, the restaurant manager will also hire, train, and schedule other employees. A high school diploma or its equivalent is acceptable with about four to six years of related experience. The typical salary for this job is seen between $28,767 and $61,490.
Line Cook-Whenever you visit Applebee's or the International House of Pancakes, there is someone behind the scenes preparing the dishes offered on the menu. A line cook will prepare all the meats, soups, vegetables and other foods needed to fulfill the orders of patrons. Some places accept a high school diploma or its equivalent, but experience is certainly needed in this field (usually at least four years). Depending on the restaurant, a line cook is sometimes asked to lead and direct the progress of others. The average salary runs between $17,092 and $28,683.
Regional Chef-Have you ever possessed a flair for experimenting with food or truly enjoy simmering a meal over a hot stove for hours? All of this passion could serve as the spark needed to ignite a career in cooking. A regional chef is in charge of planning and creating new menus for more than one eatery found in a particular region. Many duties are associated with this sort of job, as a regional chef also trains unit chefs in the art of meal preparation techniques, portion size, and nutritional value. A bachelor's degree in an area of specialty and at least ten years of experience in the field is usually required. Yearly salaries are seen (on the average) between $69,929 and $137,665.
Restaurant Greeter-Making patrons feel welcome is the duty of a restaurant greeter, who is usually the first face seen when one enters an eatery. A greeter escorts guests to their tables and keeps an eye out to make sure their needs are being met. Greeters are also in charge of the reservation book and will take phone calls regarding the availability of a table within the restaurant. A high school diploma is usually needed (or its equivalent). Little to no experience is required for this position, which generally earns between $13,244 and $22,712.
Food Services Manager-A food services manager, who also watches over inventory levels, is in charge of overseeing the daily operations of the food services related to a specific organization (company, school, etc). When the purchase of food, kitchen supplies, or equipment is needed, it is the manager's job to comply. A familiarity with standards and cleanliness within a facility is a must, as failing to follow state or local regulations can result in the shutting down of a kitchen. An associate's degree or its equivalent with four to six years of experience in the field is recommended. The typical yearly salary runs between $39,846 and $95,036.
The culinary arts career has for some time now become quite a popular choice for many high school and graduate students. To achieve the perfect culinary training you need both practical and theoretical knowledge. It is therefore almost impossible to obtain a degree in this career path online. However, there are a number of culinary arts institutes providing both on hand and theoretical training in culinary skills. The hospitality industry is on a high and the demand for culinary experts seems to be on the rise. Career options in this field could range from being a chef, a cook or even working in some high administrative post in a food setup.