If you have a talent and a passion for cooking, and a desire to serve delicious food to guests, then becoming a chef is the career for you. Being a chef is role that is something truly unique and special. It is a role of craft and art, in a high paced environment, that can deliver a high level of role satisfaction.
This is a career for artistic, competent, intelligent problem-solvers who have calculated a path that can lead from cook to chef, and maybe even entrepreneur. This is a career that others who chose a different path look to as a dream that is interesting and exciting.
The role is a journey with endless outcome, and you take your career as far as you want to go, as quickly as you want. So why become a chef? Below are 8 reasons why a career as a chef is a fantastic choice.
THE TANGIBLE JOY OF CREATING - That perfect plate: a well-conceived dish that marries complimentary flavours and takes full advantage of the unique textures of individual ingredients as they blend to create something that satisfies and memorialises the cook’s craft is a thing of beauty. Each plate that leaves the kitchen is a signature of the person that built it.
RELISHING IN AN ACQUIRED SKILL - Human beings have an innate desire to be accomplished at something. To be a great story teller, a methodical technician, a knowledgeable caretaker of the how and why, and a problem solver who can adjust to curve balls. This is what a chef is able to be when skills are finely tuned.
THE GRATIFICATION THAT COMES FROM HARD WORK - Our hands were designed to work hard, the brain was designed to push a person’s intellect and recall, and the legs and feet were meant to fell sore, that good sore from knowing that much was accomplished today. Hard work is incredibly gratifying.
PRIDE IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIFORM - We all want to be part of something that is bigger than we are. Wearing the chef’s uniform makes a chef part of the history of the profession, a history that is honourable, noble and now well respected. Wearing the uniform allows us to be part of a club of professionals who made the work of the kitchen a part of who they are.
BEING A PART OF A TEAM - Satisfaction is the knowledge that your work and success in the kitchen are dependant on how well others around you perform. Being part of a group of people who share a common goal, who have dedicated the time to build an incredible set of skills, who are proud of what they do and will strive to make the whole team successful is an honour.
DIVERSITY PERSONIFIED - Although it may not have always been the case, over the years the kitchen has grown to become an environment that cares little about age, gender, size, ethnicity, race or lifestyle preferences. The kitchen team has become a true melting pot of backgrounds and belief, and this diversity flows through the food that is crafted.
SMELLS, SIGHTS, SOUNDS, TASTES - What greeting could be better than the smells of a stock simmering, onions being caramelised or bread being pulled out of the oven? What could be more majestic that watching a line chef during a busy service take the time to paint a work of art on a plate? This is what chefs are privileged to work with every day
FOOD AS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE - Finally, when a chef stops to contemplate their role in society, it is important to note that a wonderful plate of food is a great equalizer. Regardless of the difference that people might have politically, economically or culturally, a great tasting dish can bring a smile to the face of anyone, and this is our gift to the world.
