2 answers
seanice
Student
Palmdale, California
3
Questions
Asked
372 views
I'm interested in culinary-arts and have some questions
#1 What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
#2 What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
#3 What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?
Login to comment
2 answers
Susie M. Reiter
Culinary Instructor
4
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Susie M.’s Answer
Hi Seanice,
Great questions. Right now, there are a lot of restaurant jobs available. I would seek out a restaurant for you to start working in. It is important to understand how a professional kitchen is runned. There are a lot of great online cooking classes you can take or consider classes from your local YMCA or recreational center to get some hands-on experience. In addition, I like to read my cookbooks like novels. I try to understand the science behind the recipes, I look for regional cuisine so I am well informed about different ingredients and understanding the art of baking is important. Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks: The Food Lab by Kenji-Alt Lopes, the Ripe Fig by Yasmin Khan and the Flavor Bible. You can get these books at your local library or if you are lucky at the Half Price Book store.
Great questions. Right now, there are a lot of restaurant jobs available. I would seek out a restaurant for you to start working in. It is important to understand how a professional kitchen is runned. There are a lot of great online cooking classes you can take or consider classes from your local YMCA or recreational center to get some hands-on experience. In addition, I like to read my cookbooks like novels. I try to understand the science behind the recipes, I look for regional cuisine so I am well informed about different ingredients and understanding the art of baking is important. Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks: The Food Lab by Kenji-Alt Lopes, the Ripe Fig by Yasmin Khan and the Flavor Bible. You can get these books at your local library or if you are lucky at the Half Price Book store.
Joe Gomez
Technical Support
17
Answers
Escondido, California
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hello Seanice
the culinary industry is pretty broad, there are many directions you can take, everything from creating dishes derived from nations, from heir culture and subcultures as well, here in the USA each state has their staple of taste, knowing this would be a great help if you are looking to become a chef.
If you are just looking to get your foot in the door as they say and finding out if this is the right career path for you, my best advise is to start as an assistant, possibly even a fast food restaurant, I recommend this simply because the environment you will experience in a kitchen is extremely fast paced, if you can overcome the pressure of a kitchen and how it works then you've overcome one of your greatest obstacles.
as far as fields go, a course in hospitality, definitely simple math since you may deal with measurements, specially if you are baking, Tsp, Tbsp, liters, grams, gallons, you name it, knowing quantities will definitely help, knowing cultures and their cuisine not just world wide but within the USA will help, for example remember that BBQ in TX is different than the BBQ from Kansas, each have their way of doing it and flavors so knowing ingredients, culture, and cuisine will definitely help.
as for any additional steps, some colleges do offer courses in culinary arts, I would totally advise to take at least one and see how you like it remember that regardless of the career, knowledge is the key to success ;-)
Hope this helps all the best and never be afraid to try new things
the culinary industry is pretty broad, there are many directions you can take, everything from creating dishes derived from nations, from heir culture and subcultures as well, here in the USA each state has their staple of taste, knowing this would be a great help if you are looking to become a chef.
If you are just looking to get your foot in the door as they say and finding out if this is the right career path for you, my best advise is to start as an assistant, possibly even a fast food restaurant, I recommend this simply because the environment you will experience in a kitchen is extremely fast paced, if you can overcome the pressure of a kitchen and how it works then you've overcome one of your greatest obstacles.
as far as fields go, a course in hospitality, definitely simple math since you may deal with measurements, specially if you are baking, Tsp, Tbsp, liters, grams, gallons, you name it, knowing quantities will definitely help, knowing cultures and their cuisine not just world wide but within the USA will help, for example remember that BBQ in TX is different than the BBQ from Kansas, each have their way of doing it and flavors so knowing ingredients, culture, and cuisine will definitely help.
as for any additional steps, some colleges do offer courses in culinary arts, I would totally advise to take at least one and see how you like it remember that regardless of the career, knowledge is the key to success ;-)
Hope this helps all the best and never be afraid to try new things