What career options are there in the culinary arts? (ie baking cooking, etc)

Obed,

My answer for this would be have you worked in the restaurant industry before? This will help you determine which way to go, I would reccomend that you get a business and culinary arts degree, since that is what is most needed to move up the chain of command.

I previously have worked in several kitchens from small mom and pop bar and grills to huge resort hotel kitchens and if you are looking to do get into the culinary field the business degree with the culinary arts will get you further than an engineering degree unless you are looking to work for a company that manufactures the appliances for commercial kitchens.

To determine which area you want to get into for cooking once again I would work in the kitchen first and try out all different aspects.

Many times it's important to think about our passions and consider what motivates us. Additionally, it's important to examine how things can work together. Think about this...if you are a person who likes engineering (creating, building, developing) and a person that enjoys cooking/baking, why not make the two work together. How do new cooking technologies come about? Perhaps someone who knows what it takes to create the perfect cookie or cake should develop newer technology (oven, pan, mixer, etc...) to help produce these baked goods. Have you ever looked at all or the expensive cookware/bakeware in major department stores? Or think about the development of pan sprays decades ago? That's food engineering. I also bet that people who appreciate cooking probably make great food engineers. Research food engineering, visit a cookware/bakeware store or even watch a popular cooking show for inspiration and vision.