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Culinary Career Outlook

Find your niche within the ever-expanding world of culinary career options.

Restaurant Industry Offers More Culinary Career Options

Americans have become increasingly sophisticated about the kinds of foods they enjoy eating, and as a result, the culinary industry is booming. The demand for locally grown, organic produce continues to increase, at the same time that the public is becoming more curious about global cuisine. Upscale Oaxacan, French, Italian, Indian, and Pan-Asian restaurants are all the rage. The choice of cuisine depends on your taste…and mood.

These two trends have led to an increase in the number of fine dining restaurants. This gives you more choice as a consumer and more culinary career opportunities.

Demand for Highly Skilled Chefs

The restaurant industry is currently the nation's second largest employer, providing jobs for approximately 14.9 million people, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2022 report, with an estimated 400,000 jobs to be added. However, while the demand for trained chefs is growing, you should still expect to have to compete for executive chef positions at high-end restaurants. More then ever, if you want to follow a culinary career path, a good culinary arts education is a must.

Culinary Careers for Executive Chefs

Chefs who gain experience in a supervisory capacity, may become executive chefs with responsibility for more than one kitchen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' current Occupational Outlook Handbook, job growth for chefs and head cooks is 15.4% through 2031, which is much faster than average. But competition will be high in areas such as upscale restaurants, hotels, and casinos where the pay tends to be higher. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

As the affluent 55-plus population, who tend to frequent fine dining restaurants, increases, the demand for highly skilled cooks and chefs is also expected to increase.