There are many possibilities when it comes to a career in catering as the sector is so varied now. With the sector now being so widely varied it’s important for you to be sure what kind of work you want to be doing exactly before you start training in a specific area. It’s also important you have the right interests for the catering industry, here are some interests and characteristics you should have if you want to have a career in the sector:

• Interest in food – It is important for you to have a genuine interest in food and its preparation. With the job being so demanding at times if you don’t have a real interest then you will find it harder to work to the demand and to the standards of quality you will be expected to reach.
• Ability to work as part of a team – This is one of the main things as you will always be working in a team no matter which kitchen you are working in. You need to be able to take instruction easily if you are working under some one else in the kitchen as everything in a catering firm needs to be planned and carried through correctly.
• Managing multiple tasks – Being able to do this is highly important as you may be required to carry out different tasks at the same time. For example if you are put in charge of the cooking of two products at the same time then it’s important you can prepare and cook the two products ensuring they are both ready at the specific time they are needed.

There are several routes regarding education you can take to enter the sector it all depends what age you are when starting your training. Below are some examples of different routes you can take:

• Courses – There are a selection of courses you can take including Catering NVQ, Hospitality NVQ etc. to take these courses they generally ask for at least 2 GCSE’s above an E. Depending on the course and where you take it they could ask for more qualifications or higher grades.
• Apprenticeships – This is a popular choice with younger people interested in the sector as they can start straight from school and are provided with on the job training. This is also a good way to gain experience in the working kitchen environment, and in some places it will be possible to work your way up through the hierarchy.

If you are aiming to be a catering manager then it’s advised you gain both the education and the experience so it may be best you find some where you can work whilst getting in house training. There are also some companies that will pay for you to take these courses out side of the work place.