Most career descriptions for culinary arts programs mention that students should have a love of food preparation. This is certainly the most basic quality to possess, but success in a culinary arts schoolwill require much more than a love of food! In fact, many students will tell you that a culinary arts program requires dedication, concentration and a lot of hard work.
If you watch cooking shows then you have probably seen the ones where a master chef terrorizes students competing for scholarships or other awards. The master chef insults, screams, humiliates and shames the students. It’s not a pretty sight and not a scenario you want to participate in either. Real culinary arts schools are not so brutal, but you do need to start your education with an awareness that you are entering a demanding career that brings great satisfaction to thousands of chefs and culinary managers.
Skills You Must Draw On
A culinary arts school offers educational programs that include a mix of classroom study and hands-on cooking experiences. The degree programs are designed to teach you a lot more than just how to cook dishes. You will learn many other things like managing kitchen staff, menu planning and figuring nutritional content. You may not think of it in these terms, but you will have to do some math – counting calories, measuring, determining nutritional balance and so on.
Here are some more skills you will need to develop and traits you must possess and rely on in order to succeed in a school for culinary arts and even in your career.
Leadership skills for managing and motivating others
Creative and artistic instincts for design and presentation
Willingness to work long hours
Willingness to accept instructions and feedback
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Keen senses and especially of smell and taste
Good health
Eagerness to learn
Ability to multi-task
Ability to carry a heavy work load
Able to socialize and work well with people
Able bodied and able to do heavy lifting
Looking at this long list it might seem as if you need to be almost perfect when pursuing a culinary education! You don’t have to be perfect, but you do need to be dedicated. A chef must be a combination of hard worker, artist and manager. But it’s exactly this combination that appeals to those who want to work in the hospitality industry.
Skills for School and Work
The skills and abilities you need to succeed in a culinary arts program are the skills you will use throughout your career. High quality culinary arts training will prepare you to handle real world job functions. Concentrating on developing your skills while in school will make the transition from the school classroom to the restaurant kitchen smoother.
There is one more trait you need to possess if you want to be a successful chef or culinary manager. You must have a desire to always learn. Your culinary arts education should not end once you get your degree. Throughout your career, continuing education can help you stay abreast of new kitchen tools and equipment, new cooking techniques and new trends in the kitchen and the industry!
