Can I Be a Vegetarian Chef?

A lot has changed about our society in the last fifty years, including what we eat. Back in 1971, a then relatively unknown author by the name of Frances Moore Lappe released a radical new book entitled Diet for a Small Planet. In it, she advocated for a planet-centric diet and provided her research indicating that such was better for the planet and better for our health. While there were certainly advocates for a vegetarian and even vegan lifestyle before Lappe's book, her research sparked the national and later global movement towards a less meat-centric diet.

Today, millions of Americans have chosen to remove meat and animal-based products from their lives. If you are part of this movement, then one great way to share your love for all things plant-based is to become a vegetarian chef.

Reasons to Pursue a Future as a Vegetarian Chef

The reasons to pursue a future as a vegetarian or vegan chef are very similar to same reasons why one might choose such a dietary lifestyle. Those reasons include:

• Cater to religious beliefs. There are many religions that encourage their adherents to remove meat from their diet. For example, Hindus and Buddhists refrain from eating any meat while Jews and Muslims refrain from pork. For those who are of either religions or want to cook predominantly food for people of these cultures and backgrounds, specializing in vegetarian food can be a big boon.
• Create healthier (and more animal-friendly) options. If you are frustrated at the latest reports claiming just 3% of Americans are living a healthy lifestyle and want to help change that trend, then life as a vegetarian chef is right up your alley. It's no secret that diets rich with vegetables offer significant health benefits over other diets. By becoming a vegetarian or vegan health, you can help influence the food choices of those around you by creating and offering healthier, more nutritious food options.
• Promote more sustainable options. As Lappe wrote in her groundbreaking book and as many have reported since her, going vegetarian or vegan is outstanding for the environment. A vegetarian lifestyle reduces water costs and has other key benefits for the earth. Even business-magazine Forbes is getting in on the action as evidenced by this article listing why it's time for businesses to turn vegan this year.

Enrolling in a Culinary Arts Program

While there certainly is a niche market for vegetarian and vegan options, in most cases those who want to pursue a future as a vegetarian or vegan chef will need to enroll in a general culinary arts program--which will include meat. While it may be frustrating for those who have chosen vegetarianism as a life choice for ethical reasons to be around meat, it's important to remember that this is just one very small component of a culinary program.

These components include not just the fundamentals of cooking methods, but also basic business skills and how to appropriately develop a menu and recipe. These are all key skills that every chef, whether you choose to cook meat or forgo it all together in your future endeavors, will need.

Learn More About How You Can Get Started On Your Path

Are you interested in the culinary world? If you want to learn more about earning an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ECPI University's Culinary Institute of Virginia offers this course at an accelerated rate. For more information on this exciting degree program, connect with a friendly admissions representative today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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