what is it like being a chef?

Hi Tiona,

When I first graduated from high school, my parents didn't want me to be a chef/baker as it is such a hard work. My parents own a bakery and I wake up 4 am to work with them as I was growing up, but I have lots of fond memories growing up in the bakery as the bread dough was my play dough. After graduating from three management degree later, I'm still pursuing culinary, wanting to be a chef, and research chef.

Whether you choose to be a savory or pastry chef it is a very physical job, at the same time you need to have planning and organizational skills. Most chef have a very creative side in them as well. Hence, creating delicious menu and beautiful plating. Even though this may very tough, but in the end of the day when you see people enjoying your food, and put a bret smile on their face, it's all worth the hard work.

There are many field in the culinary industry; research and development chef, culinologist (science and culinary combine), fine dining restaurant chef, food service chef, baking and pastry chef, chefs on cruise ship, private chef, etc.

In the end of the day, if you are passionate about what you do, you'll find way to do it well, and you will always feel very satisfy with all your hard work in the end of the day.

Hi Tionna,

What a great question.

Being a chef allows you to mix hard work, critical thinking and customer interactions. Your culinary creations can help make someone's day much brighter. No other job comes with so many rewards, an amazing group of people that will walk through fire for each other, and so many wonderful stories and experiences.

Being a chef is hard in a number of areas:

• Physically and emotional draining.
• Challenging social life. You are almost always working evenings and weekends.
• It will pay your bills, but it is hard to earn a large amount of money for the effort.