Shoot for the Top as a Head Chef
The most ambitious chefs in the industry will want to work towards becoming an executive chef in a restaurant. While a small restaurant might hire a lead cook or a head chef, a true executive chef will command the kitchen of a formal dining restaurant.
Working as a chef in this capacity requires more than just extensive knowledge. It also requires leadership skills and the ability to communicate with other staff in the kitchen. One of the best ways to learn these skills is through one of the many Le Cordon Bleu programs offered around the world or a culinary arts degree from one of the college-based culinary schools listed on this website.
Explore Careers in Baking
One of the most exciting culinary positions is as a baker. From making fresh loaves of bread in the early hours of the morning to creating incredible desserts that will impress diners, working as a baker is rewarding and enjoyable.
Most people who pursue a career as a baker enjoy following specific recipes, experimenting in the kitchen, can work for long hours and are incredibly dedicated. Bakers can work in large retail bakeries, in restaurants or even as self-employed bakers who open up their own businesses. Find the baking classes you need to get started on your new career.
Discover Catering as a Career
If you love creating new types of cuisine but you don't like the monotony of making the same food in a restaurant kitchen every day, then working as a caterer may be the perfect choice for you. Catering companies require professional chefs who are comfortable creating a wide range of foods.
While caterers do typically work the same evening and weekend shifts as those in the restaurant business, there is a lot more flexibility in the scheduling. In order to become a caterer, you will need some kind of culinary qualification from a good culinary arts program as well as experience in the kitchen.
Become a Pastry Chef
While baking and pastry arts are similar, working as a pastry chef is generally considered to be the more artistic choice. Chefs who specialize in pastry desserts have more freedom when it comes to experimenting with flavors and cooking from memory instead of specific recipes and measurements.
This kind of career requires a degree in the culinary arts. You can find work making desserts for a restaurant or bakery, or you can even choose to open up your own wedding cake bakery if you have skills in cake decorating. Review our top pastry chef schools and classes below.
See the World as a Personal Chef
Instead of cooking for thousands of diners in a large restaurant, some chefs opt to cook specifically for one or two clients. A private chef is someone who gets to travel with clients, prepare their meals and meet certain taste or nutritional guidelines.
Private chefs typically work for wealthy individuals, so they often have incredible opportunities to travel around the world or meet influential people in business, politics or entertainment.
Whether you want to become a personal chef, a caterer or a baker, a culinary degree will help you bring you success and satisfaction in this industry. Culinary institutes, colleges or even online culinary schools can help you to reach your goals in the kitchen.
�
�
�