{"id":18977,"date":"2021-07-12T14:29:27","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T19:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/?p=18977"},"modified":"2025-10-22T06:34:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T11:34:44","slug":"how-older-workers-can-change-careers-and-enter-the-culinary-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/culinary-pastry-careers\/how-older-workers-can-change-careers-and-enter-the-culinary-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"How Older Workers Can Change Careers and Enter the Culinary Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an adult, switching careers<\/a> can feel like a risky move. You may have financial and personal obligations that a younger person doesn\u2019t, like children, a mortgage, medical bills, or student loan debt from a previous degree.<\/p>\n

But you also have life experience, wisdom, and reliability. And these traits can make older workers an attractive hire for an industry like hospitality with historically high turnover.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re switching from one career to another, or starting your first career now that kids are getting older, here\u2019s how you can successfully enter the culinary industry.<\/p>\n

Start With Your Goal<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re considering a new career, chances are you have an end goal in mind. This clarity can be a huge advantage to you as an older worker! Some young people jump into a new venture without knowing exactly where they want to end up. With a clear objective, you can chart a path to get there.<\/p>\n

Think about the amount of time it will take for you to realistically reach your goal. Some have a very low barrier to entry, like a food blog<\/a> that you could start today. But if you hope to become an executive chef<\/a>, it could take several years to reach that level.<\/p>\n\"Portrait\n

That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s a bad career goal for an older worker! It\u2019s simply a factor to take into account as you make your plans for the future. Executive Chef Lance McWhorter<\/a>, for example, began his culinary career in his 30s after he left the military. He enrolled at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts at age 39, and now in his 40s he\u2019s winning competitions and owns his own successful restaurant!<\/p>\n

When you know what your goal is, you can design a path to get there. And that path will usually include education<\/strong> and experience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Consider Online Culinary School<\/h2>\n

Getting a culinary education is a great way for older people to start a career in food and cooking. But dropping everything to attend school for six hours a day may not be an option for you, like it could be if you were 18 or 20.<\/p>\n

Instead of going the traditional on-campus route, older students may find themselves more comfortable and at ease in online culinary school<\/a>. Here\u2019s why it\u2019s a great choice for older students.<\/p>\n\"Happy\n

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The Essential Culinary Career Survey<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

The Essential Culinary Career Survey<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What's your ideal culinary career: Fine dining? Your own restaurant? Pastry? Get our self-evaluation survey to find out!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t

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We\u2019ve compiled a checklist of all of the essential questions into one handy guide:<\/strong> career options, culinary interest surveys, educational opportunities, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYES, I want the survey!<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

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