The path to become a Chef takes hard work, driven mindset and its large share of sacrifices. Yet in the U.S. – which is not the most dynamic country for jobs –, employment of Chef Cooks and Culinary Chefs is projected to grow of 11% from 2018 to 2028 (*). A performance for this demanding field, when the national average is of 5%, all sectors included.
What makes a career as a chef so much in demand? In one single answer: the love of food! Nevertheless, we bring you the top 7 reasons to consider a career as a Chef..

• Reason 1: It is a Fantastic Career

We cannot interview them all, but there is a countless number of great talents within our industry. From shining stars, ending up in some of the world most renowned kitchen, to passionate and self-driven professionals who see their own restaurant multi-starred by the famous little red guide.
Let’s be clear, if you are considering it for the glamour and shine, you might be walking up the wrong path. But if you truly love food and cooking, and if you are ready to tackle the many steps up to the position of Executive Chef or Executive Pastry Chef, get ready!

• Reason 2: Hospitality keeps rising

Not only in the U.S. obviously, but also in many other countries around the world, the F&B industry is led by tourism and the simple fact that people will always need to eat, and always want to eat OUT. As the hospitality industry keeps growing year on year, new opportunities will come out!

• Reason 3: If you’re willing, it will bring you worldwide!

Whether you are naturally attracted to building up an international career, or simply interested in new experiences as opportunities show along the way, it’s an industry where your motivation and curiosity will always be welcome! Wherever you come from, your work in the kitchen is all about you. You will have to show curiosity, rigor and passion. But if your heart is there, and if you can find a good mentor to lead you up, a few experiences abroad will be the minimum for a great career.

• Reason 4: There is room for your own touch

If a few years ago, the codes of gourmet were pretty much vastly dictated by the French, today there is definitely room for all sorts of culinary identities. From the combination of different cuisines, to the new challenges brought by environmental concerns (cooking local, reducing wastage, etc.), many great talents remain uncovered.
With the spread of social media and the tremendous interest on food, consumers are eager to discover new strong and bold concepts, in their plate and in their overall dining experience.

• Reason 5: Simply so many opportunities

Hotels, restaurants, cafes, resorts, cruises… Multiplied by the many countries where you can expatriate. It’s simply impossible you end up unemployed. The fascinating background of the greatest Chefs often features many countries and many different establishments.
Through cumulated experiences you will grow and learn to develop skills and a better understanding of what you want and don’t want in your work place. Don’t get us wrong, the kitchen world is of sacrifice and compromises. But isn’t every other job so?
And if you have the resource and the will, you can also start your own concept and develop a style and a rhythm more suitable to you!

• Reason 6: Your creativity will be triggered

Creativity can be a real challenge. And if you aspire to be endorsed by your peers, you will need to develop your own identity, your own touch… Between you and us, many chefs on interviews have difficulties to define their own culinary identity. It’s not something you find someday. It grows with years as you cumulate more and more experience, refining your sense of what pleases you and what you want to delight your guests with.

Besides the very classic artistic jobs, it is relatively rare to find a job that can combine handcrafted with creative. And this creative side might actually be the one thing that will keep you entertained and passionate in your own job.

• Reason 7: Well, you’ll simply make people happy

At the end of the day, many chefs say that what matters the most is the appreciation they can see in their guests. Pleasing them, surprising them, bringing them to experience something different and spend a moment they will remember, that is what being a Chef is really about.

There’s no one thing that makes being a chef a great career option if you truly love what you do you will be successful.

(*): According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.