A Career in The Culinary Arts
This post is intended to be a tool for those who are considering a career in the culinary arts or are just looking for a little advice. If you're still not sure what kind of career you want, and your cooking skill-set might need some work, we'll help you figure out the best way to get started on your culinary journey. Whether it's becoming a pastry chef or pursuing school as a cook, this guide will help you decide how long it should take you to finish school and what kind of professional skills will come with each program. Plus, we'll give you advice on how to improve your resume and cover letter, as well as some tips on the kind of work you should be looking for before signing up.
Introduction [ARTICLE PART]
First, let's get one thing straight: there are two kinds of "culinary" careers. The first being the most common- which is to say that your job is to serve food in restaurants. Whether it's behind the stove or at a table, you're going to be producing food for people. The second kind of career is a bit more specialized; you are not only producing food but also designing and creating it. This is a far less common career choice, but the payoff is that you get to be recognized as an artist (not just a cook). Although the first kind of career will get your foot in the door of restaurants and hotels, it won't open the doors for you when you want to earn recognition for having a creative palate. These are your pastry chefs and guest chefs. The average pay for an entry level job in these two fields is about $35k, but they don't take into account school costs or any loans you might have to incur. And let's be honest; if that number sounds appealing then let me tell ya... you won't be getting rich with this career choice. The average salary for a pastry chef or guest chef is just under $48k, but that's only after 5 years of experience.
Well then, if it's not going to make you rich, why bother? Because it's an art! And by art we mean an artistic profession. It will take you a while to learn the ropes but once you've got your career on track, you will find yourself in demand because of your skills and creativity. Not only will you get to express yourself creatively, but you'll also meet a lot of interesting people and get some great connections. Plus, working in the food industry is a way of life for many; it'll give you an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions around the world. I hope that helps clear up any misconceptions about what it really means to be a pastry or guest chef. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's take a look at some of the things you should consider when choosing your culinary school.
LENGTH OF THE CULINARY PROGRAM [ARTICLE PART]
The length of time required to complete culinary school is dependent on which program you choose. For example, if you want to be a pastry chef or guest chef, then you should look for programs that last 2 years. On the other hand, if you're thinking about becoming a chef de partie or sous chef then you'll need at least a 4-year degree.
Let's take a look at each of these and see how long they take to complete:
1 YEAR PROGRAMS
The shortest program is 1 year in length and it's basically just a crash course in culinary arts. You'll learn how to cook standard American food by the numbers and how to prepare your own foods without any recipes at all. There's no time for creative thought or originality in these programs; you'll use recipes over and over again in order to get the basic understanding of how they're made. You will also learn how to use a knife and handle various kitchen tools, but that's it. You won't be developing your own recipes or come up with new ideas. If you want to become a chef de partie, then 1 year is plenty of time.
2 YEAR PROGRAMS
The next shortest program is 2 years long and the students are taught in a class atmosphere. In this kind of program, you'll learn about basic cooking theory as well as about nutrition, portion control and healthy eating habits. You'll also be prepared to take your state board exam. If you learn with the goal of becoming a pastry chef or guest chef, you'll be happy to know that 2 years is the minimum time required for these programs.
3 YEAR PROGRAMS
If you want to become a sous-chef or chef de partie, then 3 years is the minimum required time. In this program, you'll learn about business etiquette and working in restaurants. You'll also be taught how to use a range of knives and how the different pieces work together. They'll also teach you how to work effectively as a team and how to communicate your feelings in a professional manner.
3+ YEAR PROGRAMS
And finally, for the schools that take 3 years and up, you'll be taught how to prepare food in all of its different forms. Of course, this isn't practical in the real world- you'll have spent all that time learning one particular thing and then you'll find yourself having to learn something new and completely different. In addition, you won't learn the basic theories behind cooking or why things work the way they do. You'll be learning the ability to think creatively and not just memorize recipes. You'll be studying things like nutrition and reading food science books in order to understand the way food behaves in your body. You'll also learn how to work in teams, how to lead people and how to communicate effectively with your fellow chefs.
If you're interested in becoming a chef, then these schools are the best choice. You'll be given an opportunity to express your creativity and you'll be able to work under a top chef. If you can put up with the rigorous training, then it will be worth it because you'll learn some priceless things that you won't learn anywhere else.
5 YEAR PROGRAMS +
Although they're not common, there are some schools that give advanced degrees in culinary arts. Much like a medical degree or law degree, this is an advanced program.
Conclusion
I hope I've been able to clear up some of the misconceptions about food and cooking careers. If you want to learn more about creating your own recipes or how to expand your professional scope, then a culinary school is a great choice. I'm sure they won't be as expensive as you might think, so take advantage of that. On the other hand, if you don't plan on ever opening a restaurant or working with food in any capacity, then I wouldn't call it an "art". However, if you're thinking about pursuing a career where you can express yourself creatively and meet fascinating people and learn about all of the different cultures around the world...