Finding your Culinary Career

Do you find yourself thinking about food all day, every day? Do you have a passion for food, but don’t know how to turn your passion into a career? There are several jobs in the food industry that would be a dream job for any foodie. These careers allow you to be innovative, creative, and to bring your love of food to a new level. Here are five such careers:

1. Chef

There are two ways to become a chef. You either pursue formal training in culinary arts (such as with the Culinary Institute of America ) or you gain experience by working in a kitchen, beginning in a low position, and working your way up. Even if you get formal training, you will still have to start at a low position in a kitchen. It is a high energy work environment with long hours, but it is an opportunity to express your passion and joy for food by preparing delicious cuisine. It might not be as glamorous as it looks on television, but being a chef is a well-respected position within the food industry.

2. Food Scientist

Food scientists research things like food safety, processing, preservatives and use their findings to develop new food products, design new ways to produce food, and more. A higher education degree is recommended for this job, and most employers look for either a Master’s degree or PhD. Food scientists are responsible for evaluating the nutritional value, flavor, and texture of food. They also test food samples for molds, yeast, and bacteria, and ensure that manufacturing processes of companies conform to standards of the industry and the government.

3. Dietitian

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations". Dietitians are licensed healthcare professionals and experts in human nutrition and the regulation of diet. They diagnose and treat nutritional problems, as well as develop modified diets, supervise the preparation of food, participate in research, and educate people about good nutritional habits. Dietitians work in a variety of settings, both traditional and non-traditional. They are often found working in hospitals, health care facilities, the food industry, academia, and many other fields.

4. Nutritionist

Nutritionists advise people on eating well and living a healthy lifestyle. You might think that a nutritionist sounds similar to a dietitian, and they are, but being a nutritionist does not require a degree. Instead, nutritionists receive hundreds of hours of supervised training and obtain proper certification. Nutritionists can also work in a variety of settings, such as research institutions, food manufacturers, sports organizations, local communities, and more.

5. Restaurant Manager

While the chef runs the back of the restaurant, the restaurant manager is responsible for the front, ensuring that customers are satisfied with both the food and the service of the restaurant. Restaurant managers supervise staff and promote the business. They also ensure that the restaurant complies with health and safety regulations. This career doesn’t require a degree, but a degree in business or hotel management is strongly encouraged.

Working with food can be a dream come true. No matter which of these careers with food sounds the most like you, keep in mind that you will need to obtain a food handlers card and become certified in order to handle/manage food. Find out more about how to do this at Learn.org. Pursuing your passion may feel risky, but a career with food can pay off! Beyond that, what could be better than getting paid to do something that you love? If you love food, one of these five culinary careers could be the right one for you.

I graduated with a B.S. in Accounting. I enjoy the outdoors and have kept up on scouting as one of the local Scout Masters. I also enjoy day trading and keep up to date on the current trends in the health and fitness world.