So you’ve decided to go to culinary school. That’s exciting! But have you given any thought to what you would like to do after you earn your culinary degree? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers held 3.1 million jobs in 2006. Job opportunities for these professions are expected to be plentiful because of the continued growth and expansion of food services outlets.  

There are many career paths to consider in the culinary field. Here are just a few:

Executive Chef- Executive chefs oversee the kitchen staff as well as meal preparation. They are the ones who determine meal portions. They are also responsible for menu planning and pricing, developing new dishes, ordering kitchen supplies, hiring and firing the kitchen staff, and much more.

Sous Chef-“Sous” means “under” in French. This means the sous chef ranks right below the executive chef in the kitchen hierarchy. The sous chef assists the executive chef in supervising the kitchen staff. The sous chef also runs the kitchen in the executive chef’s absence. The sous chef’s duties may also include food preparation, and assisting the executive chef with menu planning. But the chef’s top priority is to make sure the kitchen runs smoothly.  

Food Prep Worker-Food prep workers get ingredients ready for complex dishes. They slice and dice vegetables and make salads and other cold dishes. They also weigh and measure out ingredients, grind meats, strain soups and sauces, clean work areas and more.

Pastry Chef- Pastry Chefs are highly skilled in making desserts, pastries and many other baked goods. Pastry Chefs supervise and coordinate activities of the pastry staff. They meet with other restaurant chefs to assist in menu planning and pairing of desserts with the featured entrees. Pastry Chefs also test and evaluate new pastry and dessert recipes and prepare a budget for their department.

Personal Chef-Personal Chefs prepare meals in their customers’ homes. They cater to their client’s preferences. They do the grocery shopping, prepare and package meals, and clean the kitchen. They may work for celebrities, busy professionals, senior citizens and people with special dietary needs. 

Sommelier-Sommeliers, or wine stewards, specialize in all aspects of wine service. They are responsible for creating wine lists and training the restaurant staff on wine delivery. They also work with the chefs to pair and suggest wines that will compliment the dishes on the menu.

Let Top Colleges help you find the culinary degree program that suits you best!