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I am taking culinary arts and I have some questions and doubts about this career.
1. What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?
2. What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
3. What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
4 answers
Updated
David’s Answer
1. In no particular order: I would recommend reading Kitchen Confidential and The Making of Chef. Evaluate what you want in your life, do you want a family, is stability key to your life, do you thrive under pressure? School is not a requirement in some parts in our field although big corporate companies will require it or some equivalent work experience. I went to school and I took it for everything it was; a chance to learn and my golden ticket into a the best restaurant I could afford. Check out the difference between Restaurants, Catering Houses and Corporate Dining. Be humble and don't protest if the Chef asks you to wash dishes or do any other task that you feel is beneath you, I'm an Executive Chef and if the dishwasher calls out I am in the pit. If this doesn't answer your question, ask more questions.
2. Fields, R&D, Nutritionist, Corporate Chef, Restaurants, Hotels, Catering. Look at UNLV and The Culinary Institute of America for Restaurant and Hotel Management, it covers more than restaurant and hotels and leads to higher paying jobs.
3.Get experience, buy a chef knife and a steal, find a local restaurant that you like to eat at and talk to the chef see if you can work a prep shift or two just to gain some experience. Take notes and ask questions, I ask my new staff to ask me 5 culinary questions a day. There are also volunteer kitchens that accept a wide range of help
2. Fields, R&D, Nutritionist, Corporate Chef, Restaurants, Hotels, Catering. Look at UNLV and The Culinary Institute of America for Restaurant and Hotel Management, it covers more than restaurant and hotels and leads to higher paying jobs.
3.Get experience, buy a chef knife and a steal, find a local restaurant that you like to eat at and talk to the chef see if you can work a prep shift or two just to gain some experience. Take notes and ask questions, I ask my new staff to ask me 5 culinary questions a day. There are also volunteer kitchens that accept a wide range of help
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
I am so intrigued by your post Karla because at 34 years old I want to do the same. I'm currently in the tech world and doing things I love like teaching and mentoring etc. but my passion is also baking. My fiancée has been a chef for many years and the best and most simple advice he gave me was to actually get into a kitchen. I am so comfortable baking in my own kitchen where I'm alone, have space etc. but working in a real kitchen or thinking of opening your own bakery means there are other factors to think of. I know it seems silly but I recently watched "The Bear" on Hulu and I think it's getting rave reviews because it's very real LIFE! Hope all goes well with your future career path. Wish me luck too!
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Karla,
Being a chef, you must have devotion and passion. If you have doubts, then you can work in the industry and see what you like and dislike about it.
1. What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?
While you are in culinary school, work in the field. Having book smarts is fine, but until you sink your teeth into the industry, you will not know if you like it or not.
2. What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
Culinary has a wide array of fields to go into. Check out the ACF (American Culinary Federation) or Culinary Agents, which is a job board for chefs, then you read how the different fields may apply to you.
3. What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
You should know what you would like to do primarily. Then you can work with a culinary counselor and go from there.
If you have the passion to do be culinary then the world is open to you.
Retired Executive Chef Rob Mingus
Being a chef, you must have devotion and passion. If you have doubts, then you can work in the industry and see what you like and dislike about it.
1. What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?
While you are in culinary school, work in the field. Having book smarts is fine, but until you sink your teeth into the industry, you will not know if you like it or not.
2. What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
Culinary has a wide array of fields to go into. Check out the ACF (American Culinary Federation) or Culinary Agents, which is a job board for chefs, then you read how the different fields may apply to you.
3. What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
You should know what you would like to do primarily. Then you can work with a culinary counselor and go from there.
If you have the passion to do be culinary then the world is open to you.
Retired Executive Chef Rob Mingus
Updated
William’s Answer
Karla,
It looks like you have already received some very good advice. As mentioned, there are many different paths you can take and stay in the culinary lane. Much easier said than done, you need to understand what interested you in the culinary field in the first place. As Chef David says, you also need to be honest with yourself about what is important to you for a happy life. That means a happy life now and one say 10 yrs. from now. In your question you said you had doubts? Answering those doubt honestly is important. Ask your instructors and counselors at school for advice. Please remember that you are just starting in your career and are young. Take your best shot and pick a path. If it's not the right one for you, it is OK. Keep trying other paths and asking questions until you find the right mix of passion for your profession and a personal life that you are happy with today and hopefully still 10 or more years from now. Best of luck!
It looks like you have already received some very good advice. As mentioned, there are many different paths you can take and stay in the culinary lane. Much easier said than done, you need to understand what interested you in the culinary field in the first place. As Chef David says, you also need to be honest with yourself about what is important to you for a happy life. That means a happy life now and one say 10 yrs. from now. In your question you said you had doubts? Answering those doubt honestly is important. Ask your instructors and counselors at school for advice. Please remember that you are just starting in your career and are young. Take your best shot and pick a path. If it's not the right one for you, it is OK. Keep trying other paths and asking questions until you find the right mix of passion for your profession and a personal life that you are happy with today and hopefully still 10 or more years from now. Best of luck!
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