By Tricia Martin
So you like Hospitality…partly because you think it is an awesome subject and partly because it is about food. You might enjoy how practical the subject is but, just like Moana as she stands on her small Island's shore, you want to see what is out there…beyond the horizon of becoming a chef.
Well scoff your scones and grab a fresh plate because we have some job options that may suit your taste buds.
1. Food stylist
If you were the only one who could get your little siblings to eat their vegetables by creating their favourite animals in broccoli form then this job could be for you. While Chefs can make delicious food it is essential that people actually want to eat it. Food stylists focus on creating a food aesthetic that will make anyone react with "take my money and give me the food". You will be able to work with magazines, restaurants, publishers and grocery stores and photoshoots, making sure that food looks its best.
2. Food Truck Whisperer
Got an event coming up? 18th Birthday? Christmas Party? Celebration for getting out of bed earlier than 7am for 5 consecutive days? Whatever the occasion, hiring a caterer is usually up there on the 'to do' list for party organisation. However, catering has had a bit of a shakeup, quickly being replaced by mouthwatering food trucks.
As a foodie, you can make your passion a fulltime gig by organising and managing these meals on wheels by pairing particular food trucks with particular events. Don't believe us? New Orleans based event 'put-a-togetherer' Barrie Schwartz works for NGOs, soon to be married couples and corporate companies to organise and book food trucks for massive events.
3. Recipe Developer
If you love a bit of experimentation, are naturally creative and enjoy the idea of doing something different everyday then this job may be a match. As a Recipe Developer, you could be working with individuals who have specific dietary needs, food magazines or websites to replicate dishes or even create recipes from scratch. This job is fast-paced and truly broad. One day you might be studying the physics of ice-cream and the next to find yourself creating a mind-blowing recipe for a backstreet pop up restaurant! If you love a creative challenge as much as you love Brooklyn 99 then definitely put this job on your 'answers to families inevitable 'what do you want to be'' list when Christmas comes around.
4. Food Anthropologist
Do you think there is more to Mexican food than hard vs soft taco debate? Do you believe whole heartedly there is a deeper meaning behind the humble Butter Chicken? Then food anthropology could be for you. Food anthropologists are concerned with the study of making, eating and exploring how food shapes cultures and how cultures shape food. This diverse field can see you studying how food, religion, art and migration intersect.
You could be travelling around the world to collect information about cultural food celebrations or find yourself on an archaeology site investigating food preparation techniques from thousands of years ago!
Tricia Martin is a trained behavioural change facilitator and founder of She Can, a movement to change the game plan for students in equipping them with relevant, future-focused skills. Tricia can be contacted at tricia@shecan.com.au
