Most people would sum up a chef’s job by saying that they cook food. End of story. But it’s nowhere near that straightforward. And there are so many types of chefs and so many types of food service establishments — restaurants, cafeterias, banquet halls, hotels, cruise ships, resorts — that describing a day in the life of a typical chef is practically impossible. Instead, we can cover some of the fundamental aspects of a chef’s job and then you can figure out which culinary careers and settings spur you towards further investigation. Read More...

There are as many job opportunities in the professional kitchen as there are flavours. Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll be well on your way to a great and challenging career. This is a career that can take you around the world. As a professional cook, you can find work in a variety of locations; anywhere from cruise ships to private yachts, from oil drilling platforms in the North Sea to diamond mining operations in the Yukon to logging camps. Read More...

A caterer works closely with clients to design, prepare, and serve menus for events, including wedding dinners, charity balls, holiday brunches, office lunches, and any other occasion where people gather and consume food. A caterer must understand how certain dishes work together, have strong interpersonal, particularly listening, skills, and the ability to manage a cooking and serving staff. Over 70 percent of all catering services are owner-run, so many caterers must also have sharp business acumen. Most people are drawn to the industry because of their love of cooking or preparing elegant meals for special events. In their first few years in catering many find that talent only gets you so far. “You can have dozens of clients, great reviews, and the best products–and you can still lose money hand over fist,” said one ten-year veteran. Read More...

In establishments where cocktails are served, bartenders are expected to be able to properly mix hundreds to thousands of different drinks.  A mixologist is a term for a bartender who specializes in the creation of cocktail recipes; the term usually implies special expertise and professionalism.  Bartenders also usually serve as the public image of the bar they tend, contributing to as well as reflecting the atmosphere of the bar. In some establishments focused strictly on the food, this can mean the bartender is all but invisible. On the other extreme, some establishments make the bartender part of the entertainment, expected perhaps to engage in flair bartending or other forms of entertainment, such as those exemplified in the films Cocktail and Coyote Ugly. Read More...

Do you find the prospect of 4-year college uninspiring?  Do you love food and thrive while working in the kitchen?  Are you interested in a good career that allows you to work where you want?  Then it’s possible that attending culinary school may be the right choice for you.

Culinary school can be an excellent option for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the culinary arts.  Working as a chef can afford one the option of living and working practically anywhere. Read More...

The culinary arts or culinary trade refers to all aspects of food production and preparation.  There are many different job descriptions and titles within the culinary arts which include: chefs, pastry chefs, cooks, production coordinators, caterers and many others.  Although a degree or school certificate is not required to enter this field, when you have formal training, acquiring a position in an establishment is much easier and with a better pay scale. Read More...