The Career Of A Chef – The Alternate Options

When you think of jobs in the food industry, what first comes to mind? Probably roles like Restaurant Manager, Bartender, Barista server, Sous Chef and so on. But beyond these basic position‘s, there’s a whole world of opportunity for those passionate about the culinary arts.

There are a lot of choices today when working in the food industry. This is a good thing to observe when looking for different avenues of the business for employment opportunities. We are living in a day and age in which more and more people are becoming entrepreneurs. In the spirit of that thinking, we have the perfect industry for entrepreneurs and it is, of course, the Food Truck Industry.

First things first, if you own a food truck, then you get to be your own boss, which is, of course, one of the perks of being an entrepreneur.

Food trucks have become quite a rage lately in the evolving restaurant space.  The advantage of mobility in food truck format gives owners access to multiple locations at an initial capital that is lower than that needed in opening a restaurant of any other format. Thus, it is no wonder that restaurant owners are looking to invest in a food truck instead of an individual stationary restaurant.

Five Key points will guide you through the process of opening a Food Truck Business in India:

• Choosing the right Food Truck or Commercial Vehicle.
• Get the kitchen equipment and raw materials required in a food truck.
• Apply for licenses and permits required to start a food truck business in India.
• Look for the manpower required to run the food truck smoothly.
• The market for your business.

The average cost of Rs. 10 lacs is incurred while starting a food truck business in India. It varies largely upon the type of vehicle you are opting for and the kitchen equipment. The total cost of kitchen equipment costs to around Rs 3 lakhs that includes microwave, juicer mixer, freezer, refrigerators, griller, steamer, working tables, burner, exhaust equipment, generator or big batteries with inverter. 

The investments made in the food truck business is slightly higher than the QSR format but the good thing is that the overall operational cost is much less than a QSR or restaurant in a long run.

The food truck industry provides a ton of freedom. Not only will you get to pick the food truck concept in the beginning but you will also decide what foods you serve when the menu needs to be updated. Since your business is on wheels, there is a ton of flexibility, and you are the lucky one who gets to call all of the shots.

Another option which not many chefs think of or think it is not as prestigious is a Diet and Nutrition kitchen usually in conjunction with a private hospital. I have experienced it for 3 months and it was fantastic. The only reason I quit was that I started to miss the buzz of the brigade and service. The money was actually better than what I’m getting now but if you want to get to know ingredients and different cuisines do this for a change of pace.

You have so many clients whom you do not refer as patients and you are provided with their data regarding their ailments, what they like to eat and quantity of food they intake. Based on the information, you have to devise and modify menu as per their requirement. It was amazing to be there and in the process acquired new learnings regarding how to modify and substitute in recipes, etc.

If you want a unique, interesting job working with food, here’s a list of crafting a menu, but there’s a lot of work on the non-culinary side, too.

Craft Brewer – Craft brewing is becoming a popular endeavor, opening up a market for seasoned brewers and curious entrepreneurs to create and sell their own beer, wine, and cider. Although it can be difficult to get started and hard to learn, craft brew is in high demand at bars, restaurants, farmers markets and local stores.

Food Lawyer – Food is a hot topic in the news. From factory farming to GMO’s, there are legal battles being fought by lawyers on both sides. The battles are bound to continue as more and more people take a closer look at the nation’s food industry.

Food lawyers also work with issues related to food allergies, food supplements, public health and safety and worker’s rights in the industry.

Food Stylist – Any aspiring chef knows it can be pretty difficult to make food taste good and sometimes even harder to make it look pretty. Food stylists, however, tend not to be concerned with taste and generally focus on aesthetic appeal for commercial and editorial purposes, consulting with restaurants, grocery stores, and publishers during photo shoots and making sure that the food looks as good – or better – than it tastes. 

Restaurant Designer – A lot of effort goes behind opening a restaurant. Sure, a bulk of time, effort and dedication is involved while choosing a concept and crafting menu but there’s a lot of work on the non-culinary side, too. From architectural planning to interior design to lighting style to fabric selection, restaurant designers have a lot to take into account when putting together their ideas. Restaurant designers work closely with the hospitality industry, hiring architects, interior designers, project managers, and many other individuals to help bring a restaurant from concept to creation. 

Vegan Chef – With more and more people moving towards healthy food and rise of health cautiousness amongst youngsters and adults, the food industry is buzzing about vegetarian, vegan, and raw diets. As the people are finding out that a meat-free food can be equally tasty and healthy, more weight is lands on the shoulders of chefs willing to craft plant-based meals thus creating opportunities for herbivorous chefs. Balance in life is very important especially if others are affected by your schedule and benefits and there is plenty of opportunity in this industry to fit any professionals needs and circumstances.

I have said many times, when I was younger, that I would work as a Cook and eventually a Chef for the rest of my life. But now a days, I have been more opened minded about different opportunities which could and would come into my path during my career. A person should always keep in mind that try to live life to its fullest because we only live one life. But with more and more different experiences to experience, your life can seem like it has been compounded with interest.

Right now I’m concerned with learning all that I can, doing all that I can, and enjoying every day, hour, and minute.