To determine if you are cut out for a cooking career, consider these important characteristics: chefs, cooks and food preparation workers need to be able to work well as part of a team, have a keen sense of taste and smell, and work efficiently to turn out meals as quickly as possible. Knowledge of a foreign language may improve communication with other restaurant staff, vendors, and restaurant's clientele.

Advancement is common in field. For example, many food preparation workers move easily into assistant or line cook positions. Chefs and cooks who demonstrate an eagerness to learn new cooking skills and to accept greater responsibility may move up within kitchen and take on responsibility for training or supervising newer or lesser-skilled kitchen staff. And there are always opportunities to move from one kitchen or restaurant to another.

What are your interests? Owning your own restaurant? Chef? Food Buyer? Restaurant Manager? No matter what your interests are, a career in food industry offers challenges and variety.

Many different segments of jobs exist in food service industry. Excellent opportunities exist for individuals at all job levels in department store food service; airline in-flight food service, school, college, and university food service; hospitals and nursing homes; city and country clubs; business and industry; parks and recreation; and military services which employ civilians to manage clubs and other food and lodging facilities. Food Service is single largest segment in industry.

Because food industry serves needs of public, majority of people working in this industry are in constant contact with customers. Its a people-oriented profession. Individuals preparing for careers in Food Industry must understand that their responsibilities are likely to include daily interaction with customers. Social skills and ability to communicate effectively with others are important assets for anyone planning such a career. An interest in meeting guests’ needs and solving their problems is a primarily requisite for success in this field along with reliability, dedication, and willingness to work hard.

Career opportunities are bright for food industry. Since this is one of fastest growing industries, trained and knowledgeable managers are in demand. For person who is dedicated, outgoing, and willing to work odd hours, promotions come easily. We invite you to share bright picture of future of Food Service as it continues to grow, expand, and create tremendous new opportunities throughout nation. There has never been a better time than now for people to enter Food Service Industry.