Do you consider yourself a foodie? Are you always experimenting in the kitchen and coming up with new — and delicious — meals? If so, you might want to consider pursuing a major in the field of culinary arts!
Education
A degree in culinary arts is usually earned at the associate’s or certificate level. Helpful courses to take in high school to prepare for this major include health science, family and consumer studies, chemistry and business. Be prepared to take classes like banquets and catering, food science, nutrition, restaurant management and more in college, in addition to work and internship experience.
Questions to ask before you apply
Experience will be a major part of your program — does the college you’re interested offer internship experiences that will aid your career upon graduation? If so, what are the requirements for the internships or experiences you complete? Also, make sure your university is accredited by the American Culinary Federation and check in on what recent grads are doing. Did their experiences help them get a leg up on their careers? Are there networking opportunities you can take advantage of to help with your job search?
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs and head cooks earned an average of $42,480 per year in 2012. A related career in food service management earns an average of $47,960 per year.
Still unsure about a career in culinary arts? Take the course at Next Step Academy to find out if it’s right for you!
