There are many different types of culinary jobs.
Culinary jobs are those centered around food service, preparation, marketing and consumption. The culinary career field is broad and includes jobs that work directly with food, such as cooks, chefs, and food stylists, or based around food, such as restaurant managers or owners, servers, and food writers. The kind of training necessary for culinary jobs depends upon the focus: chefs and cooks either get formal training in culinary schools or start out working in kitchens in unskilled positions and apprentice with knowledgeable chefs. Restaurant owners and managers must have business and administrative knowledge, and food servers must have a comprehensive knowledge of food and beverages, and dining etiquette. Food writers and stylists have training in journalism or photography in addition to an avid interest in culinary arts.
Chefs and Cooks
The primary responsibilities of chefs and cooks are to plan menus and prepare food, but each restaurant demands different skills and knowledge, and not every chef or cook position is the same. In smaller restaurants, short-order cooks prepare a variety of entrees, salads, appetizers and desserts. In larger restaurants with more employees, cooks specialize in pastry, grill, saute, salads, appetizers, or other specific kitchen stations, while the chef oversees the cooks and checks the plating, quality and consistency of food leaving the kitchen. Chefs and cooks are the creative force behind the culinary field, using their love of flavor and ingredients to develop new ways of enjoying, preparing, presenting and even thinking about food.
Restaurateurs and Managers
Restaurant owners, also known as restaurateurs, are sometimes chefs themselves. In other cases, they may be business owners with a deep appreciation of good food who want to provide this experience for their patrons. Restaurant owners, who often double as managers in smaller establishments, are responsible for all of the business aspects of running the restaurant including health department and OSHA compliance, licensing, marketing, payroll, hiring and supervising employees, budgeting, and keeping track of current trends in dining to be sure the restaurant remains competitive and interesting. Managers also participate in day-to-day operations, train and supervise food servers, ensure that staff remains organized and efficient during busy periods, and generally extends an added level of hospitality toward guests.
Food Servers
Food servers, also known as waiters and waitresses, are the liaison between the kitchen and the restaurant guests as well as the primary sales force of the business. A food server must have several skill sets, including a comprehensive knowledge of food preparation and ingredients; food and beverage pairings; mathematical proficiency; physical endurance and strength; the ability to juggle several simultaneous tasks under pressure; a highly organized mind; and most of all, strong communication and interpersonal skills. Food servers sell the hard work of the chefs to diners through a combination of description, suggestion and charm. In addition, servers follow specific steps-of-service, knowing when and clear a plate, refill or suggest another beverage, provide appropriate cutlery and condiments, and generally anticipate and respond to guests' needs.
Food Writers and Stylists
Food writers and stylists work in creative proximity to the restaurant industry and are the force behind popular food trends and bringing new foods into the public consciousness. Food writers are typically trained journalists or creative writers who travel to different restaurants to sample food and review it for magazines, newspapers and blogs. Food writers who gain a large readership can deeply affect a restaurant's credibility through a positive or negative review. Food stylists are responsible for photographing and filming food for advertisements, magazine articles, television and various media. Food stylists find creative ways to make food look appetizing in photographs, sometimes just through arrangement and lighting, and other times by developing new methods of preparation.
Tags: Food writers, knowledge food, must have, Restaurant owners, also known, around food, chefs cooks