Careers To Pursue If You’re A Foodie!
Most people eat because they need to (duh!), but for a small number of people, eating goes beyond just being a need and becomes more of a pastime. And if you too fit into the second group, wouldn't it be amazing if you could turn that into a career and make money doing something you genuinely love? Are you interested in careers other than being a chef, which is the most obvious choice?
We know what food means to you!
People say, LOVE, you hear FOOD! What more hints would we need!?
When you chat with your pals, food comes up in around half of your talk. There are no other feelings in this world that can compare to the enjoyment you have when eating. You only ever fantasize about being around food!
Perhaps not surprisingly, there are as many different types of gourmet occupations as there are food enthusiasts. For the purpose of learning about foods and cuisine, foodies could train to be chefs, food journalists, or even farmers. And since the general public is coming to realize what foodies have long known—that eating is more than simply a biological necessity—new occupations in the food industry are constantly emerging.
As you read these words, does your inner gourmet start to scream? Are you trying to find a job that will keep you in some way related to food? Then your quest is finally over.
You did read that correctly. These 8 professions will let you dive deep into your passion for food while earning a decent amount of money. Eating for a living!
1. Food Critic
Consider becoming a food critic if you are passionate about food and have the ability to assess meals, establishments, and accommodations critically. The smallest components of a meal, such as its texture, taste, smell, look, quality, flavors, etc., are examined by food critics who then express their thoughts in written articles or even through video broadcasts.
Be aware of the competition if you plan to pursue a profession in writing. Writing a clear and engaging review will be one of the prerequisites for a job, therefore you should practice your writing.
Start developing your portfolio by contributing to as many newspapers, periodicals, and internet publications as you can. Additionally, you ought to hunt for work in magazines.
Education/Skills Required: In addition to a passion for cooking, knowledge of various cuisines, flavors, and culinary components is crucial. Consequently, having a degree in culinary arts or hotel management will be helpful. To improve your writing, you can also seek degrees in English literature, mass communication, journalism, etc.
Job Opportunities: The majority of restaurants, cafés, and pubs ask food reviewers to evaluate their food. For magazines, newspapers, and internet food websites, food critics frequently write.
2. Food Blogger
The first thing you often do when placing an order for food or looking for nice places to eat is thoroughly researching internet reviews left by previous customers. Some people have such a strong enthusiasm for food that they make special trips just to sample local cuisine and share their recommendations with others. They go by the name of "food bloggers," and they are the upcoming big thing. It is up to you to decide if you want to focus on local eateries or try foods from other parts of the nation or the world.
Education/Skills Required: There is no set professional route for becoming a food blogger in terms of education or skills. However, if you choose to take this road, taking classes to improve your photography, content writing, blogging, social media, digital marketing, and web design abilities can be beneficial.
Job Opportunities: While many food bloggers work for themselves, maintaining their own blogs, many others also hold full- or part-time positions with reputable lifestyle and food websites.
3. Nutritionist
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” – La Rochefoucauld.
Ice cream or curd, fried or baked, protein or carbs? Nutritionists are professionals who guide you in making these choices by advising you on what and how much to consume. Due to our society's heightened emphasis on nutrition and health, nutrition has grown in prominence recently. You will advise your customers on the best meal combinations based on their age, weight, gender, and nutritional needs as a nutritionist or dietician. You'll aid them in achieving their nutritional needs, keeping a healthy lifestyle, and losing or gaining weight.
Education/Skills Required: A graduate degree in nutrition, food science, or home science is required, followed by a postgraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics. Following graduation, you must additionally complete an internship and pass the license exam given by your country’s Dietetics Association.
Job Opportunities: Working in pediatric nutrition centers, private clinics, slimming centers, senior centers, sports clubs, gyms, and other facilities.
4. Flavour Chemist
Candy comes in a wide range of flavors, from delicious strawberry to sweet caramel. While a green packet of Lay's chips tastes cheesy and creamy, a blue packet tastes peppery. What gives these culinary products their unique flavors? Flavor chemists are the disguised magicians who produce the flavors that give many foods their distinctive flavors, sometimes without the use of the real flavoring chemical. Many of the foods we consume every day have flavors that are produced in labs by flavor chemists who analyze the chemical composition of natural flavors to duplicate them or improve the flavor of already existing flavors.
Education/Skills Required: You need a bachelor's and master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or food science to work as a flavor chemist. Not only that, but you also need to be able to discern flavors with your taste buds and a great sense of smell.
Job Opportunities: Opportunities for employment include the food processing sector as well as the wine, tea, and coffee industries. The pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and pet food sectors all provide career possibilities.
5. Food Photographer
Have you ever observed the billboards outside eateries advertising various foods? The food in the photos seems delectable, yet you frequently end yourself eating at the table inside because you can't help it. These images were captured by skilled photographers. To help food businesses, eateries, and packaged food firms make their dishes and goods appear appealing to customers, they collaborate with food stylists and take pictures. These alluring images are used in publications including recipes, magazines, websites, and commercials.
Education/ Skills Required: Although not required, it is advised to obtain a certificate or diploma in food styling in order to develop the necessary skills for a professional career. A degree in culinary arts or hotel administration as well as photographic knowledge may help you succeed. You cannot function without the ability to think creatively, patiently, and creatively.
Job Opportunities: Opportunities for employment include positions in restaurants, hotels, publications, etc., where you'll collaborate closely with cooks, bloggers, photographers, food critics, etc. In some circumstances, you may even serve as the food photographer.
6. Food Stylist
The appearance and presentation of the food are always cited by chefs as the most crucial components of a cuisine, aside from the flavors. Through expert styling, even a straightforward meal like Cherry bruschetta may be transformed to be far more appetizing and restaurant-worthy. A food stylist's responsibility is to make food appear appealing and tasty for clients, media, and photos. They concentrate on color, shape, and texture components to produce a tasty and aesthetically pleasing dish of food.
Education/Skills Required: Although not required, it is advised to obtain a certificate or diploma in food styling in order to develop the necessary skills for a professional career. A degree in culinary arts or hotel administration as well as photographic knowledge may help you succeed. You cannot function without the ability to think creatively, patiently, and creatively.
Job Opportunities: You'll collaborate closely with chefs, bloggers, photographers, food critics, etc. while working in restaurants, hotels, publications, etc. In some circumstances, you may even serve as the food photographer.
7. Food Technician
Ask your grandparents if instant noodles, canned liquids, or ready-to-eat food were accessible when they were your age, and they would likely respond negatively. The realm of food has not been unaffected by the advancements in science that the globe is experiencing. Your passion for food and your love of research and technology can be combined through employment in the field of food technology. You will investigate the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of packaged food goods in laboratories, whether it be dairy or frozen meals. Your task will include creating procedures for packaging and storing food, examining the quality of the food, and upgrading the equipment used to prepare it.
Education/Skills Required: As it is a technology-based career, you must have completed your high school in STEM subjects, basically, physics, chemistry, and biology. Both undergraduate and graduate programs provide specialized courses in food technology and biotechnology.
Job Opportunities: There are positions available in a variety of packaged food and beverage firms that produce things like pasta and noodles, ready meals/instant mixes, spice mixes, confectionery, chocolate items, dehydrated foods, dairy products, sweets, snacks, etc.
8. Molecular Gastronomist
Imagine placing a Pina Colada order at a restaurant. The typical coconut juice and coconut milk in a glass might be expected if you were living in the pre-molecular gastronomy era, but times are changing. It would be possible to provide the beverage in jelly shape with liquid coconut drink within. It is made feasible via molecular gastronomy. It all comes down to understanding the chemical composition of food and applying that knowledge to creatively make classic dishes. Even the lately popularised Nitrogen Ice Cream is an example of molecular gastronomy.
Education/Skills Required: The best way to enter this sector is with a degree in culinary arts or hotel management. For your post-graduation education, you must pursue a specialist degree in molecular gastronomy.
Job Opportunities: Demand for specialists in this industry is growing as molecular gastronomy dishes gain popularity quickly. You can get employment at upscale pubs, hotels, restaurants, and research facilities.