Culinary Employment Prospects

Author: Dilip Shaw

Want to join the food industry? Why not know your employment prospects before you finalize your decision to study in culinary schools.

Where do you want to go? The world of Culinary Arts is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States and beyond.

Where you go is up to you and how hard you are prepared to work. The same applies to how much you earn. If you decide to stay in the local area you are likely to earn between $8-$14. On the other hand, a line cook in San Francisco earns $10 to $22 per hour. A chef in fine dining restaurant or hotel can earn in excess of $100,000 per year. (Please understand it takes many years of hard work and dedication to reach this kind of salary.)

You may choose to work in any of the following types of establishments:

Nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, catering companies, casinos, cruise ships, trains, country clubs, private clubs, restaurants, research and development labs, resorts (ranging from a summer resort to one of the Disney properties), and wineries to name but a few. You may decide to travel and look for opportunities abroad. Whatever you decide to do, the education you will receive in Culinary Schools will help take you to the future of your choice.

The employment prospects for graduates of this program are positive. Future employment growth is above average and it is expected that new graduates will experience little difficulty finding work in the food and beverage industry. These are considered to be active recruitment occupations.

The restaurant industry employs 11 million people, making it the nation\'s largest employer outside of the government. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the restaurant industry\'s growth will be 30 per cent over the next two years. Industry professionals and owners indicate that the biggest challenge facing the industry is finding educated, competent, and well-trained management personnel to handle this growth.

In the next decade, the travel and food industry will be a leader in creating new jobs, in generating more revenue, in paying out more salaries and wages, and in offering great professional opportunities.

What are your interests? Owning your own restaurant? Chef? Food Buyer? Restaurant Manager? No matter what your interests are, a career in the food industry offers challenges and variety.

Many different segments of jobs exist in the food service industry. Excellent opportunities exist for individuals at all job levels in department store food service; airline in-flight food service, school, college, and university food service; hospitals and nursing homes; city and country clubs; business and industry; parks and recreation; and the military services which employ civilians to manage clubs and other food and lodging facilities. Food Service is the single largest segment in the industry.

Because the food industry serves the needs of the public, the majority of people working in this industry are in constant contact with customers. Its a people-oriented profession. Individuals preparing for careers in the Food Industry must understand that their responsibilities are likely to include daily interaction with customers. Social skills and the ability to communicate effectively with others are important assets for anyone planning such a career. An interest in meeting guests’ needs and solving their problems is a primarily requisite for success in this field along with reliability, dedication, and willingness to work hard.

Career opportunities are bright for the food industry. Since this is one of the fastest growing industries, trained and knowledgeable managers are in demand. For the person who is dedicated, outgoing, and willing to work odd hours, promotions come easily. We invite you to share the bright picture of the future of Food Service as it continues to grow, expand, and create tremendous new opportunities throughout the nation. There has never been a better time than now for people to enter the Food Service Industry.