In the words of the much-admired celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, “Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feelings, ethnic feelings, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, and your grandma. It's inseparable from those from the get-go.”
Food indeed is a universal language of love and its evolution over the years has been remarkable. With different dimensions of food, the Bakery and culinary arts have become increasingly popular the world over and has witnessed a tremendous rise in India as well, and many students have been pursuing graduation in this field.
With the rise of food cures and the increasing demand for unique dining experiences, the bakery and culinary arts industry has seen tremendous growth. I believe the lockdown induced by Covid19 also encouraged hundreds of individuals to turn into culinary artists from their kitchens, sharing images of their delicacies via social pages and fuelling further interest in this field.
Also Read: How to be a professional baker: Skills & Qualifications Required
However, with such a diverse and competitive field, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the various career options available after graduation in bakery and culinary arts.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the top career options available for graduates in bakery and culinary arts in India.
A food entrepreneur is someone who starts a food-related business, such as a bakery, cafe, or food truck. This career option requires a combination of culinary skills, business knowledge, and creativity. As a food entrepreneur, you will be responsible for everything from creating menus to managing finances and marketing your business.
An executive chef is responsible for managing the kitchen in a restaurant, hotel or cruise. As an executive chef, you will be responsible for creating menus, managing the kitchen staff, and ensuring that all dishes are prepared to the highest standard. This career option requires a high level of experience, leadership skills, and culinary knowledge.
A steadily growing category, the job of the food stylist is to create visually appealing food presentations for various media platforms such as magazines, cookbooks, television shows, and advertisements. This career option requires a keen eye for detail and creativity, as well as knowledge of food photography and culinary arts. Like the way the saying goes, “you eat with your eyes first,” thus the presentation of the food plays a vital role in creating its appeal.
If you are someone who loves to play with words and explore various cuisines, a career as a food writer would be a good option. A food writer is responsible for creating content related to food, including restaurant reviews, recipes, and food-related articles. As a food writer, you will need to have excellent writing skills, a deep understanding of culinary arts, a passion for food and excellent PR skills as food writers often become influencers.
A restaurant manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a restaurant. This includes overseeing the kitchen staff, managing inventory, and ensuring that customers receive the best possible dining experience. This career option requires strong leadership skills, as well as knowledge of culinary arts and restaurant/club management.
One of the most popular career options for graduates in bakery and culinary arts is to become a pastry chef. As a pastry chef, you will be responsible for creating a variety of desserts, including cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats. You will need to have a deep understanding of baking, have an eye for creativity and detail, love to experiment and understand the working of various kitchen gadgets. Pastry chefs can work in various settings, including restaurants, hotels, and bakeries.
A culinary instructor is responsible for teaching culinary arts to students. This career option requires a deep understanding of culinary arts and teaching skills. Culinary instructors can work in various settings, including culinary schools, colleges, and private institutions. However, the role will require for the individual to be updated on the latest learnings around this sector so that the right kind of knowledge can be imparted to students.
With the knowledge and experience from the finest schools which offer an understanding of the global trends and the knowledge gathered from the industry, the students can also look for options like Chef Consultants.
With the rise in demand for international cuisines and a market of people who have the spending capacity and are ready to explore and experiment with their taste buds a career in the field of Culinary Arts is promising and offers opportunities across the globe.
Chef William lee, HoD- Culinary & Head Centre of Excellence in Culinary Arts, MRIIRS
A Certified Hygiene Instructor from Singapore and has vast experience in the F&B industry. He possesses a wealth of culinary expertise and innovation under his sleeves. He has also worked for At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy, a prestigious college and the No. 1 college in all of Asia in Singapore. The chef not only holds a formal qualification in Culinary from PUSA but also a Master degree in IGNOU, India He has also received a lot of appreciation and rewards in his professional career. He has worked with several 5-star luxury hotel chains like, The Hyatt Group and Hotel Imperial.
