Cooking Up a Career

I just read an interesting article about culinary arts careers in the Niagara Gazette. It focused mostly on Niagara Community College's food-related programs but included some interesting facts about the culinary field in general. For example, did you know that between 1996 and now the number of cooking schools in the United States increased from 269 to 556? I didn't realize how popular a field it had become although I do know several people, my daughter included, who have expressed an interest in it as a future career.

This increased interest in culinary arts is probably related to the popularity of cooking shows, particularly those on the Food Network. What those considering a career in this field need to know is that real life isn't as glamorous as what you see on the tv. Only a handful of chefs and cooks make it to star status. The rest spend time working long hours — generally weekends, nights and holidays — in hot kitchens. They often work under stressful conditions. Before you commit time, money and energy to training for a career in culinary arts, or any career for that matter, you should make sure you thoroughly explore it.