The Industry:
Celebrity chefs have brought attention to the field of Culinary Arts, perhaps like never before. Culinary artistry is the preparation of quality food, prepared to give pleasure to the person(s) consuming it. This field of study is part of the Hospitality Industry, which is the largest private employer in the United States. Sales are projected at $576 billion for the year 2010. Eleven million employees work on a daily basis in the industry.
The outlook is one of growth over, the next several years. One of the biggest challenges the industry faces is finding qualified and motivated individuals for their workforce. The industry is working to recruit employees and boost employee satisfaction and tenure.
Culinary perfection is about a basic love for food and the desire to please people. A career in Culinary Arts involves dedication, physical stamina, hard work, education, and talent.
Opportunities exist in roles of cook, baker, chef, caterer, food and beverage managers, owners of restaurants, and countless other areas. Today, many people entering the culinary field are career changers. Women and minorities are finding room in this industry that has great demand for skilled workers.
Computer applications in the kitchen have become the most important new equipment for supervisors and management. Computers are used in the kitchen for inventory and costing, menu design, staffing, budgeting, forecasting, nutrition analysis and more.
Wages in the industry vary according to individual skill, attitude, energy level, and ability to communicate and work well with others. Entry-level workers with little or no experience may start around $7 per hour, while executive chefs can earn from $40,000 to $100,000. Median wages for someone with an associate degree range from $20,000 to $30,000.