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Guide to Culinary Education and Careers

Make culinary education work for you: Learn what careers may await after you graduate from a culinary arts program.

Culinary Education Prepares You for Success

America's interest in fine cuisine means more jobs for gourmets, making a culinary education a valuable commodity on the open market.

If you've been paying attention, you've noticed the many new restaurants popping up. Some fill a specific niche in the market such as Pan Asian or Indian, while others try to do better than the competition in more traditional fields such as steak houses, seafood or Italian.

And the culinary jobs available are as diverse as the types of cuisine.

Careers for Grads with a Culinary Education

With a culinary arts degree, you'll decide where your interests lie and pursue your own career goals. There are many different types of jobs available, both within and beyond the restaurants you've seen downtown. Don't limit your options.

Your personality and ambition will lead you to the right job for you. Here are some of the most popular occupations for people with a culinary education.

• Restaurant owner
• Restaurant manager
• Executive chef
• Sous-chef
• Pastry chef
• Corporate dining chef
• Private chef
• Spa chef
• Baker
• Hospitality manager
• Caterer
• Culinary instructor

Qualities of Successful Chefs

While professional chefs vary widely in their skills, preparation and personal qualities, the following characteristics bubble to the top of the list.

• Attention to detail
• Industry experience
• Management skills
• Passionate commitment to food
• Strong work ethic
• Team player

Unusual Careers for Culinary Graduates

Not everyone in the culinary industry works in a restaurant or hotel kitchen. Some unusual niches for professionals with a culinary education are as follows:

• Food consulting
• Food photography
• Food publishing and television
• Food research/science
• Food styling
• Food writing
• Gourmet retail
• Wine and Spirits Industry: Sales and Marketing
• Research and development

Jobs for Recent Graduates with a Culinary Education

Experienced chefs stress the value of working your way up from the bottom. Learning from your superiors will help solidify your culinary education. Look for opportunities in restaurants, hotels, spas, cruise ships, catering businesses, institutions and retail gourmet food shops.