Becoming a Chef: Worth it for a Second Chance?
Switching things up is becoming increasingly common in modern America, but which path should you choose for your second chance? Many people feel drawn to leave the rigors of an office in favor of becoming a chef. If you're one of them, you'll be happy to hear that the culinary industry is actually a great choice for a mid-life switcheroo. Here are a few reasons why.
Why Chef Work?
As mentioned above, many people entertain becoming a chef at some point in their lives. It's a hands-on, highly practical kind of job, which can make it very appealing to those who haven't done that kind of work before. At the same time, it's active and interesting--there's even room for creativity.
You'll need to keep in good health to stay productive. Chefs and cooks are required to bend, twist, carry heavy kitchen items, and stand for long periods of time. On the bright side, it's also a job where you have direct control over the entire production process and can easily see the fruits of your labor at the end.
The most compelling reason of all for many people, though, is that they simply enjoy cooking and would love to be paid to do it. Since work inevitably takes up a large part of most people's waking hours, having the freedom to choose a new line of work based on established interests is appealing.
While home cooking and actual culinary practice are certainly very different, they are similar enough for someone to be reasonably sure that they will find both satisfying. If you like to cook and are willing to push yourself to develop even greater ability and proficiency, you could find yourself looking forward to going to work each day: who wouldn't want that?
The Advantage of Being an Older Culinary Student
Conventional wisdom states that younger people will always have an easier time breaking into a new field, but those looking for a fresh start will be happy to hear that things are often a little different in the culinary life. Older entrants can actually have a bit of an advantage over younger ones, given the right conditions.
As an older student, you will probably have already spent much more time in the kitchen over the years than a fresh high school graduate; after all, the average American spends approximately 6 hours per week cooking. This extra experience may not be a guarantee that you'll do well in a culinary program, but every little bit counts - especially in the beginning when the learning curve is steepest.
On top of that, you've probably dealt with many different complicating factors while cooking, too. You may have had to cope with the stress of making large family dinners on holidays, or had to sneak some vegetables into meals for a fussy child to ensure proper nutrition. Younger students have rarely had the chance to take on larger responsibilities like these.
The dedication, focus, and ingenuity required to do these things are transferable skills that can easily be applied to commercial cooking as well. Just remember not to sell them short in your own mind when faced with a difficult problem!
Upgrading Your Skills in School
If you choose to embark on a new life as a chef, you'll still need formal training. A lot of what you'll learn will be building on things you already know. You probably already have some favorite recipes you love to make - culinary school will teach you why they taste so good and what other foods and food combinations carry a similar flavor profile.
You know the basic principles of food safety - culinary school will ensure that you know exactly how to store, wash, and prepare food in order to keep it safe for human consumption. You know how to use many common kitchen tools and appliances - culinary school will expose you to new specialty items that most home cooks have never even seen before, due to their expense or size.
It can also show you what can be possible in the hands of a competent chef. You should be expanding the knowledge you already have in a way that will prove both instructive and engaging to you as a burgeoning cook.
Are you interested in becoming a chef? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated pace. For more information on this exciting program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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