Finding the Right Career for You

The variety of work in the field of culinary arts is staggering. An education in the culinary arts can be applied to far more than just restaurant work. Check out some of the exciting opportunities afforded by a well-rounded education in the culinary arts:

Hotels & Hospitality

Upscale hotels that host their own signature restaurant have a strong investment in the allure of their venue. As such, hotels tend to have more lavish pay-scales than the average restaurant. Because of the higher wages, competition for hotel jobs is more stiff. Entry-level assistant chef positions can be achieved with minimal certification, earning around $20,000 annually. With your degree in culinary arts, however, you can go for the gusto and land an executive chef position at closer to $70,000.

Cruise Ship Staff

What could be more luxurious than working on a cruise ship, drifting from port to port in the glorious sunshine? If cooking on the high seas sounds like a dream come true, it is important to keep in mind that living and working on a cruise ship will keep you away from home and family for weeks, sometimes months, at a time.

There are a variety of positions for a culinary artist, paying anywhere from $500-$2,000 a month; keep in mind that your food and rent are paid while you are onboard, cutting your cost of living significantly.

Food Stylist

Have you ever found yourself standing in line at the grocery store, looking at the magazine coversa nd wondering how they got that slice of cake to look so mouth-wateringly beautiful? A food stylist is trained in preparing food to look its very best for magazine photos and even film shoots. Since you are essentially working with celebrity food, the salary for a food stylist is accordingly sweet, between $40,000-$50,000 a year.

Professor of Culinary Arts

The average salary for a culinary arts instructor is $45,000 a year. Culinary arts professors are skilled professionals who have as much a passion for teaching and inspiring as they do for cooking! The benefits of becoming a professor of culinary arts are twofold: 1) You have endless opportunities to practice and hone your own craft, and 2) you get to motivate, educate, and inspire wave after wave of fresh, eager culinary artists.

Food Critic

Would you love a career in food, but would prefer to stay out of the kitchen altogether yourself? Consider a career as a food critic! A critic with an established reputation can earn up to $80,000 a year giving the thumbs up or down to cuisine all over the city, country, or even the world!

It is important to note, however, that a solid, foundational education in the culinary arts can be the difference between blogging freelance reviews for a few bucks a paragraph and writing the glossy cover review for the fancy new place downtown as the salaried staff of a respectable publication.

Additional Resources:

Food Service Managers - Bureau of Labor Statistics

Chefs, Head Cooks, and Food Preparation and Serving Supervisors - Bureau of Labor Statistics

Culinary Arts & Food Service Career Guide - Vocational Information Center

Facts at a Glance - National Restaurant Association

Outlook for Culinary Arts Jobs - World Alliance for Arts Education