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Careers in Food Service

A Career Exploration Activity

How many different careers can you think of by looking at these pictures?
"If you don't follow your dream, who will?" - Emeril Lagasse
What careers come to mind when you think of the food service industry?

Server, cook, host or hostess are probably the most well known. However, there is a wide variety of careers available in the food service industry.

  • Banquet Manager
  • Catering Manager
  • Food and Beverage Director
  • Food Service Director
  • Kitchen Manager
  • Restaurant General Manager
  • Research Chef
  • Food Batchmaker
  • Hospitality Manager
  • Food Scientist
  • Food Scientist
"Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors - it's how you combine them that sets you apart." - Wolfgang Puck

One of the main requirements for working in the food service industry is...

A Passion for Food

What would you learn if you went to school to be a chef? Watch this video and find out.

A Buffet of Career Possibilities

Check out these careers in food service. The links provide an in-depth look at the skills, education, and career outlook. While each video provides a brief description of the tasks and responsibilities of the career.

Select a couple that you would like to learn more about and use this worksheet to research independently.

"The key to running a successful kitchen is what I call the ‘3 F’s.’ Be Firm, Be Fair, and Be Friendly with your staff, your guests, and yourself." - Will Gilson

A Unique Career in Food Service

The Importance of Entrepreneurship in Food Service

Is food your passion?

The great thing about careers in food service is that you can start experimenting, learning, and gaining experience now.

How?
  • Cook meals for family and friends
  • Research substitute ingredients for recipes
  • Learn what all those kitchen gadgets are for and how to use them
  • Take a cooking or culinary arts class
  • Research proper place setting
  • Complete the food handlers certification
  • Get a part time job
  • Take chemistry

This industry allows you to start at an entry-level position and work your way up. Keep in mind that some of the careers have educational requirements so it is important research your career well.

Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator

The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.

CREATED BY
Workforce SBCSS

Credits:

Created with images by salahgraphic - "chef catering food" • Pexels - "bakery bread baker" • paolabaldacci - "kitchen chef resort" • Pexels - "restaurant cooking chef" • Unknown - "Waitress serving breakfast at a restaurant | Royalty free ..." • FotografieLink - "decoration invitation elegant" • Pexels - "doughnuts desserts pastries" • Michael_Luenen - "fried buffet gastronomy" • Counselling - "buffet dine eat" • noah1974 - "knife the coolest steel" • Skitterphoto - "kitchen scale weight" • webandi - "roulades beef meat" • antonytrivet - "chef dishes restaurant"