Becoming a Chef at 40: How to Take on a Second Career with Gusto!

According to a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people born between 1957 and 1964 worked at an average of 11.9 jobs throughout their lives. While much of this movement may have been to new companies in their same industry, many people take advantage of changes in their employment circumstances to explore the career of their dreams.

Have you always wanted to be a professional chef? This could be your moment to switch gears and live out a dream. What are the benefits and challenges of starting a culinary career after age 40? How does a formal education help you maximize your potential in this field?

Culinary Careers at 40: Benefits

There are also some benefits to choosing a culinary career that is specific to those over the age of 40.

• You know how to work with a variety of people. Cooking in a restaurant requires team skills that are difficult to teach. People over 40 have learned to navigate an array of situations, circumstances, and personalities to achieve their personal goals. This makes older people a natural fit for chef positions that include managerial duties.
• You have experience beyond the work world. At 40, you’ve had more experience and knowledge than you ever have before. Use your unique perspective to create one-of-a-kind culinary dishes. More modern eating establishments will appreciate your sophisticated palate during menu-planning sessions.
• You know what you want to do. Happy employees work harder. No one is happier than a person who truly wants to be there. Employers will understand that you are passionate about cooking, and not just looking for a job.

Challenges you Might Run Into, But Don't Have to Stop You

There are also some important challenges to consider.

• Food service is physically demanding work. If you are used to a more sedentary lifestyle, you can use the career shift as an excuse to get back into the gym and improve your overall health.
• Entry-level positions won’t pay nearly as much as your last position. However, with the right combination of education, talent, and work experience, you could quickly improve your paychecks.
• Many eateries have a high employee turnover rate, which means you could be dealing with new coworkers on a regular basis. However, your dedication might be rewarded with advancement opportunities from grateful employers. You could also get the chance to meet some interesting new people.

Cooking is a profession that satisfies the need for artistic expression while providing physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. These high-energy positions are fun, lucrative, and perfect for those over the age of 40.

Why You Should Start Your Culinary Career with a Formal Degree Program

You don’t need a degree to get a job as a cook. In fact, some restaurants will hire cooks with little or no practical experience or understanding of what it means to work in a commercial kitchen. While this is certainly a valid way to begin a culinary career, it isn’t the best way. Those who want to build a rewarding, long-term career should begin with a formal degree program. Getting a degree puts you on the direct path to success in many ways.

• Your degree means you already have the basic skills needed in a commercial kitchen. Employers will have to commit less time and resources to train you. Because of the reduction in training costs, they may be willing to offer you a higher starting wage.
• Your degree prepares you to work in a variety of commercial kitchens. Whether you want to bake bread and pastries all day or serve up epicurean delights for dorm-bound college kids, your culinary degree study program will qualify you for more types of entry-level positions.
• Your classmates and instructors will be a life-long source of references, leads, and inspiration that help you create the career that fits your lifestyle and long-term goals. They may also be instrumental in helping you land your first job after graduation.

A culinary degree could make you a more desirable job candidate. Are you ready to start building your new career?

Interested in the culinary arts? It's never too late to earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts from ECPI University's Culinary Institute of Virginia. For more information about this accelerated program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Culinary Arts - Associate’s

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