Now You're Cookin'! Chef Careers in the Spotlight
April 23, 2007
by Richard Barrington
Culinary Institutes Columnist
Perhaps inspired by flamboyant TV chefs, more people than ever seem to enjoy cooking lately. If you picture yourself alongside the star chefs on television, formal culinary training may be the ticket to your culinary career. After all, the kitchen has never been so glamorous.
Culinary Arts Take Center Stage
Generations of Americans grew up watching Julia Child, but the culinary arts on TV have come a long way since her program was one of a small handful dedicated to fine cooking. A recent informal count tallied over 50 television programs involving some aspect of the culinary arts. There are iron chefs and naked chefs, and even talk show divas like Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O'Donnell have gotten into the act at one time or another.
Culinary Training is Where it All Starts
Despite the celebrity factor, formal culinary training is a key ingredient in successful culinary careers. Even star chefs like Emeril Lagasse and the late Mrs. Child benefited from culinary training in their backgrounds. The term "culinary arts" is not to be taken lightly--as with all art forms, there is a formal discipline to study before individual talent can flourish.
If you have a taste for fine food and can see yourself pursuing a culinary career, then training is the first step. It's never too late to follow this path--Mrs. Child's culinary career began when she was in her 40s.
A healthy mix of passion and training is the basis for culinary career success--in your own kitchen or at a fine restaurant. Who knows? Maybe you're the next celebrity chef.
Sources:
Emerils.com, "Chef Emeril Lagasse: Biography"
CNN
PBS, "Julia Child"
About the Author
Richard Barrington is an author and freelance writer.
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