A career in food

Former Member

Anybody considering a career in the food industry? I am wondering the best route to take. I have looked into the Leiths school of food and wine diploma which is a 1 year course with some very impressive former students! I think this may be a better option for me than uni as it is practical and experience based. I am going to their open evening in July to find out more... anyone else doing something similar?

Former Member

Hey there and welcome to the boards,
The industry is so big so I think it depends on where you see yourself in it.
It's great you've looked into Leiths school. Are there any other colleges or schools nearby who offer food related courses?
You might find this page from the Kent University website helpful as it has loads of links - http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/food.htm

Check out our Start here section for more information on the boards.

Former Member

I actually work in catering environment at the moment as a waitress but that's only a job I'm doing for the mean time but I have been interested in the waitressing side of the front of house. That's something I'm considering to. I'm on a twelve month scholarship and trying to get as much experience as I can get.

Former Member

Hi there,

Welcome to the boards!

Some collages in your area my offer you the chance to study food there, I know my collage do, so it might be worth having a look around and asking, Hope it helps.

Take care,

SuzyOwl

Danny!

Leith's has a very good reputation, but it's also very expensive. So maybe it depends on what you want to do? I think Leith's would probably be a good place in terms of networking, and a great start if you have the cash and are looking for a higher-powered food industry career.

But I'd also check out local colleges as Suzy said. Chef's career paths are often based on working your way up and learning as you go (or alternatively, starting your own business), so it's worth thinking about how much you want to pay for a course.

Good luck - it's a tough but satisfying path

Former Member

Thank you SuzyOwl and Danny but the way my career is looking at the moment is promising however I do enjoy my job at the moment as a waitress/kitchen Assistant and I'm learning a lot day by day so gaining experience in a catering industry and working with customers is good for me. I just need this as a start to boost my prospects of gaining a job but I do have another job like this one waiting for me only it's the references what are taking the time to come back and if there the case they may withdraw my application. Hopefully they newest reference they have got from my employer I'm working for at the moment will get me started. Potentially it's something I'm looking into for the future in a job still I do have my sights set on working in retail as that's my aim. That's where I want to be. I know there is always college and university to do a course but I won't need that for now. Thanks for ur help

Cat88

Hiya CrazyKiss !

You've got some great suggestions above, but just in case Leith's isn't feasible or suitable, have you considered a job with a vocational qualification alongside? I'm actually using my own experience here as my OH worked in the industry for over 10 years and now actually works as a Trainer/Assessor for a big company and he goes out to people in catering/hospitality establishments to train them up on NVQs etc. They can cover everything from a basic customer service qualification, up to more specific specialisms like silver service and so on.

Obviously this isn't an advert so I won't go into more detail, but I just thought you could consider somewhere that would take you through a course like that as it would enable you to work and study at the same time, if that's something you'd like to do

Former Member

Hi Cat88 I'm Crazykiss. Nice to meet u and welcome. I would like to in future maybe think about going back on another course at college to study and gain some experience aswell but what I'm doing now is giving me a lot of experience from front of house work to kitchen work. I have completed levels 1 and 2 in customer service so do know a lot about working in front of house already but it's the kitchen work I would like to learn more about and maybe it could be an idea as u said to go on a course at college and do an nvq.

I wouldn't wanna go else where as I like to stay close to home and I couldn't put up with transport again as I'm already doing by getting two buses. I find all the comments very helpful and they ate saying the same thing about going back to college and did think about that.

Something to think about in the future but it's good for experience and gaining a qualification but it's something I'm looking into with my career but I'm more wanting a career with serving customers and that's in retail so I'm just trying to do other things untill something comes along in that area. I'm still looking for work at the moment as my job is only part time and I'm looking for anything in customer service. The future is going to look bright.