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I'm interested in working in Culinary arts here are some things I was wondering about the industry

What are the best and worst things about being in the cooking industry?

Why should I join this industry?

What are the benefits of being a cook/chef in a restaurant?

Thank you comment icon Hi Tim! These are all great questions -- in the future, please only post one question per question post. You can put the question in the "title" and add other details in the description. Thanks in advance! Alexandra Carpenter, Admin

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Robert’s Answer

Hi Tim H.
To answer your questions
What are the best and worst things about being in the cooking industry? The cooking industry can bring a lot of pride and experience to your table; however, the restaurant industry is unpopulated meaning that the industry is lacking employees. So, with that, you will be working longer hours for less pay. This is if you are a cook, if you become a chef, the hours depend on where you are. You could work from 4 pm to 1 or 2 am depending on the work. You may also work 16-to-18-hour days 5 to 6 days a week. so much could fluctuate with the business.

Why should I join this industry?
Many join the industry to eventually own their own establishment but investigate this through the national restaurant association for more details.

What are the benefits of being a cook/chef in a restaurant?
well, you are either a cook or a chef, they are not interchangeable. If you call an executive chef a cook, there may be some disconcert. However, it depends on where you are cooking. for instance, being a chef on a cruise liner, you may do the dishes, peel 2500 pounds of potatoes or peel 2500 ears of corn by yourself. if you are a chef, the benifets also depend on where you are. If you are a chef for a corporate account, you may get weekends off, but this is a rarity.

Rob Mingus
Retired Exec Chef
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Madelyn’s Answer

Hi Tim,

What are the best and worst things about being in the cooking industry?
I am not a chef but I love to eat!

Pros & cons of being a chef according to https://job-evaluator.com/being-a-chef-pros-cons/ are:
Some of the pros are:
• You can always improve your cooking knowledge, learn about different cultures, build a strong network, open your own restaurant, travel the world, and you can be creative.

Some of the cons are:
• Starting salary is often low, checks work weekends, long hours, it can be stressful; some kitchens are very hot etc.…

Why should I join this industry?
• Working as a chef gives you some freedom and allows you to be more creative than just about any other career. You can cook in part of the world and private residence, restaurant, hotel, food chain, private plan, yacht etc. If you enjoying cooking that is good choice.

At the end of the day, your decision should be based on your personally preference. Before you make a decision, you might consider an internship in restaurant just to understand and confirm is what you imagine and if is something you could see yourself doing & enjoying.

Best of luck!
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Christopher’s Answer

What are the best and worst things about being in the cooking industry? The best things are that the industry is fast paced and exciting. It's never a dull moment. It's also fulfilling, in that you are feeding people which is a critical service. You have the opportunity to be creative. I also found it satisfying in that at the end of your shift, you had a tangible feeling of accomplishment. My current job feels sometimes like nothing every gets accomplished. Also, I had the most fun working in restaurants and met some like long friends. And it's a industry where you can find work everywhere in the world.
On the downside, the hours can be brutal. You also have to work nights and weekends. You have to be physically fit to do the work. And it can take a toll on your body over time. In the beginning the pay is not great . The Food Service industry also has a bad reputation for management not treating employees well and being very demanding, which I did experience.

Why should I join this industry? If you enjoy a challenging, fast paced industry where you can be creative and express yourself and love working with people, this is a great option.

What are the benefits of being a cook/chef in a restaurant? You eat really well for free. You can find work anywhere in the world. You meet some amazing people and have a lot of fun. If you make a name for yourself, you make decent money. And you can start your own business and work for yourself.
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