Five Careers in Food: How to Start a Career in This Area

If you have a desire to work in the food industry but are unsure how to begin, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

One of the best ways to decide on how to begin a career in the food industry is to find out how you can secure a position in five food related careers and begin your culinary career here.

Food safety inspectors ensure that health and hygiene standards in cafe’s, restaurants, bakeries and food establishments are kept to the highest standards. 

This includes visiting food establishments, assessing the food production, preparation, storage, cooking and distribution is all done to a high standard according to the current food health and safety protocols. As a food safety inspector, you will act as a barrier against unsanitary conditions and ensure public health by ensuring the safety of public eateries. 

Similar roles include a food manufacturing inspector who assesses food sourcing and manufacturing sites such as slaughterhouses and food processing plants.

You will need a food hygiene certificate to become a qualified food safety inspector. You can gain both beginner and advanced-level qualifications in health and hygiene through online Health courses and demonstrate to potential employers that you have knowledge and skills in this area. 

Health courses include training in food safety, the food supply chain, health and hygiene, and work-based safety, all of which are key areas of knowledge you will need for a career as a food safety inspector. 

Courses in Health, such as food science, can also help you in similar roles, including as a food scientist, food technologist or food product development professional.

Nutritionists provide advice, guidance and information on human food health and nutrition. This is often in the form of private consultations with their clients. However, nutritionists may also provide general advice in books, articles or in collaboration with an organisation such as an NHS healthcare facility. 

Most UK nutritionists hold a qualification such as a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nutrition. If you want to explore university options or you have another degree but want to move into nutrition as a career, then you can explore Health and Nutrition courses online. 

Similar roles include a dietitian, for which you could also benefit from a course in Health and Nutrition.

Learn about the fundamentals of nutrition, food health, public health and human health through online Health and Nutrition courses to open up a variety of nutritionist jobs and healthcare job opportunities.

A popular choice for those who want to explore cooking careers, being a chef is all about creating the most delicious meals and using your expertise in food preparation to tantalise the taste buds of your customers.

Combining culinary skills, creativity, and time management means this career can be stressful, but it is highly rewarding for those passionate about food.

Being a chef requires a considerable amount of practical skills in food preparation, culinary techniques, cooking, baking and food science. Therefore the best way to train as a chef is through work-based training. 

Explore local apprenticeship opportunities or explore culinary vocational courses, and make sure to highlight your passion to potential employers. 

Continue to develop key skills such as time management and practical cookery skills at home, and gain experience working in local cafes and restaurants to expand your practical experience for your career in food. 

Being a sous chef will require at least four years of experience, whilst executive chefs (head chefs) will need an additional two years of experience in a senior job role. If you want to work in a specific area, for example, as a pastry chef, then it is vital to hone your skills at home and in a professional environment.

Restaurant managers are a fantastic career choice for those who want a senior role within the food industry and have a passion for making key business decisions on a day-to-day basis. 

Restaurant managers oversee the daily running of a restaurant, including delegating tasks to staff members, managing the financial reports of the business, collaborating with the head chef on food choices, handling complaints and planning food and drinks menus.

To become a restaurant manager, you will need experience working in a restaurant, knowledge of the food industry and expertise in hospitality. Hospitality courses can help you demonstrate your knowledge and skills in all areas of hospitality, and there are courses available at all levels to suit your current knowledge base and experience level. 

As a restaurant manager, you will need top leadership, problem-solving and communication skills, and hospitality courses can help you develop these key skills to help you further progress on your career path and help you secure restaurant manager jobs.

A career as a bartender is often overlooked when it comes to a career in the food industry, but this creative and exciting role ends up being a dream career for many in the food and drinks field. 

Bartenders create and serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at bars and restaurants, mixing drinks and interacting directly with customers. This is a fantastic opportunity for people who love meeting new people, interacting with the public and creating their own unique drink combinations.

Entry-level bartenders can get into a bartending role without direct experience or qualifications. However, experience in a customer service or hospitality role would be beneficial, as well as GCSE English and Maths.

Depending on where you work, some high-end bartending roles may require background experience and knowledge. The best way to develop the skills needed to be a bartender and secure high-level bartending jobs is by seeking out entry-level vacancies or internships and building up your practical work experience.