| If you are interested in a culinary arts career, | | | | how much they work. In addition, a caterer's |
| there are actually many careers in the industry | | | | clients are varied and his or her days are |
| for you to choose from. The variety of options | | | | therefore always different, creating an interesting |
| can be overwhelming to many people; however, if | | | | and ever-changing work environment that appeals |
| you know the differences between the choices | | | | to many people. |
| available to you, your decision will become a lot | | | | Nutritionists and Dietitians |
| easier. Here are six choices for those interested in | | | | Not every culinary arts career directly involves |
| pursuing this type of career. | | | | the preparation of food. Many culinary careers |
| Short Order Cooks | | | | focus on other aspects of food, such as diet and |
| Short order cooks are generally found in | | | | nutrition. Social movements such as fad diets and |
| restaurants that specialize in serving simple meals | | | | concerns about obesity, combined with medical |
| quickly and affordably. For instance, if you pursue | | | | findings regarding the importance of proper |
| this culinary arts career you will probably be | | | | nutrition in fighting and preventing certain diseases, |
| making simple things such as eggs and French | | | | have given credence to the efforts of dieticians |
| toast, sandwiches, and breaded fish: meals that | | | | and nutritionists. |
| can be made quickly and easily, perhaps even at | | | | There are many reasons people might see a |
| the same time as one another. Restaurants that | | | | dietitian or a nutritionist. Some people have |
| hire short order cooks include inexpensive diners | | | | diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease that |
| and mid-grade restaurants. These restaurants are | | | | require them to learn new dietary habits. Other |
| the kind people eat at for everyday occasions. | | | | people may want to consult a nutritionist as part |
| Being a short order cook is admittedly not the | | | | of their quest to lose weight. Athletes may hire a |
| most prestigious job, but it is an important | | | | dietitian or nutritionist to coach them, ensuring |
| stepping-stone to getting the experience | | | | that they maintain energy and muscle mass |
| necessary to break into a more elite culinary arts | | | | during periods of extreme exercise. Dietitians may |
| career. | | | | also be called upon to ensure nutritional balance in |
| Chefs and Cooks | | | | children's meals at school, design hospital menus, |
| Chefs tend to work at nicer restaurants than | | | | or even teach the principles of nutrition to others. |
| short order cooks. Rather than focusing on | | | | As a dietitian or nutritionist, you can either choose |
| cooking many simpler meals, chefs produce nicer | | | | one or two specific types of consultation (such as |
| meals at higher prices. The employers for these | | | | diabetes management or sports nutrition) or |
| positions can range from your mid-grade | | | | maintain a more general focus. Either way, seeing |
| restaurants to the high-end, five-star variety. | | | | to the public's dietary needs is an excellent, stable |
| Depending on the restaurant, a chef can have a | | | | culinary arts career. |
| great deal of creative control and specialization. | | | | Restaurant Managers |
| Larger restaurants may hire an army of chefs, | | | | Another great career in this field is restaurant |
| each with their own specialty. Also, a large team | | | | management. This career requires a very unique |
| of chefs will require a head chef, who is often | | | | person: someone who has knowledge and |
| responsible for coming up with new menu items | | | | experience in managing people and a business, as |
| and delegating responsibilities to the other chefs. | | | | well as in culinary subjects. A restaurant manager |
| As far as a culinary arts career goes, a chef | | | | who has no culinary knowledge will have difficulty |
| position offers more job stability and opportunity | | | | understanding the unique nature of the business; |
| for advancement than your basic short order | | | | on the other hand, one who has no experience |
| cook or fast food cook position. | | | | with managing people and/or the business aspects |
| Bakers | | | | of management will be likely to let the business |
| Another type of culinary arts career is baking. | | | | fall down around his or her ears. |
| This can be a very sought-after specialty, such as | | | | Because of the unique combination of demands |
| in the case of exquisitely made wedding cakes. | | | | on a restaurant manager, if you can fill this |
| Or, to a lesser degree, specialty pastries such as | | | | position well you may be able to make quite a |
| those found in ethnic bakeries. Bakers are hired | | | | nice salary -- the nicer the restaurant, the more |
| both by small bakeries and by larger stores, such | | | | you can make. This is the perfect career for |
| as grocery stores, that have bakery | | | | someone who enjoys both food and business. |
| departments. Also, some bakers may choose to | | | | As you can see, if you are interested in a culinary |
| open their own stores or run catering businesses. | | | | arts career, you have many options to choose |
| Caterers | | | | from. You should choose your career by what |
| Catering businesses are highly sought after to | | | | you enjoy most and what you feel you are most |
| deliver restaurant-quality meal to parties, | | | | suited for over the long term. If you make your |
| weddings, and other events. Likewise, catering is a | | | | choice carefully, you will reap the benefits of an |
| type of culinary arts career that many chefs | | | | enjoyable a career in the culinary field for years |
| dream of following. Caterers enjoy the benefits | | | | to come. |
| of being able to choose their own schedules and | | | | |