If your passion is food, there is a career that will combine
both labor and love. Like all jobs you need to pay your dues to achieve
success, but if you are looking for a diverse return on your investment, the
hospitality industry is where you want to be. Chef, Karen Kaehler, the Research
and Development Manager at Boston Market, encourages people to become a chef if
they are looking for a career where, "You won't be tied to a desk job and
you can travel the globe."
So what are the day to day realities of being a chef?
According to Chef Kaehler, it is all about diversity, "It is rare that two
days are the same in my position. Even if you are working on the same project,
you are often trying variations upon variations in order to achieve the best
outcomes."
Culinary Arts - The Diversity of a Career as a Chef
Most Chefs have an education in the Culinary Arts. It will
be a combination of your practical experience in the kitchen and your
educational background that will provide you with the skills and confidence to
be a successful Chef.
As with all foodservice careers, the reality of long hours
and hot kitchens are inevitable. Being a chef is hard work, but this career
will provide you with the ability to express your creativity and instant
gratification that you receive from serving an excellent dish or planning an
innovative menu. The day to day realities of a chef are not all about plating
your next dish; the responsibilities of a chef are diverse.
There are many components involved in a day in the life of a
chef and they require a wide range of skills and knowledge to achieve success.
- Menu
planning
- Food
design
- Financial
Planning
- Operational
Logistics
- Food
& Safety
- Vendor
Management
- Staff
Management
- Research
& Development
The hospitality industry offers endless opportunities for
variety, and there are many options to choose from. Whether you decide to build
a career as a chef in catering, hotels, cruise ships, resorts or restaurants,
every area is different. Opportunities for Chefs are limitless, as Chef Kaehler
points out, regardless of the difference between each hospitality environment,
"There is a 'common language' of the kitchen, which enables cross over.
Having strong, basic skills, hustle and the right attitude will help you
succeed in restaurants, catering, cruise ships and hotels. You'll pick up lots
of new tricks from them all."
Rewards and Perks
Depending on what company you work for, there may be the
option to transfer and travel to different locations. Chefs are influenced and
educated by the variety of ingredients, knowledge and techniques offered
throughout the world. In fact, as Chef Kaehler points out, "To stay
current and cutting edge, you have to constantly be exploring and
learning." Having worked in Hong Kong, Antarctica
and on a variety of cruise lines, she describes these experiences as
unforgettable and critical to her career growth.
If you are looking for a career that requires creative
ingenuity and an atmosphere that encourages growth and exploration, become a
Chef. It is not all about cooking; it is about finding your own recipe for
success combining your passion and skill in a variety of environments and
locations.
"Anyone can follow someone else's recipe and create
good food, but to 'create' great food consistently is quite different. And, if
all being a Chef was cooking, life would be sweet." Chef Karen Kaehler