• There are many culinary and beverage careers to choose from.margarita image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
  
  There are many culinary and beverage related careers choose from. Even in a slower economy the job outlook for this industry remains favorable because people have to eat, no matter what. The following career suggestions are just a small example of what is available. If you love to cook, you are probably well-suited for one of these positions.
  
  

Chef

• Many chefs possess a culinary degree, while others are trained on the job. Large hotels and restaurants typically offer their own in-house training and placement programs. Besides the love of cooking, prospective chefs must be creative, be able to communicate effectively and have the ability to motivate others. Knowledge of at least one foreign language is also an asset, especially in multicultural areas.
  
  Typical chef duties include: food preparation, ordering supplies, handling customer complaints, creating new dishes to add to the menu, scheduling and balancing the books. If you prefer self-employment, finding work as a personal chef is an option. Many personal chefs prepare meals in advance for their clients who can easily heat them up as necessary.
  
  

Bartender

• Even though some larger establishments now use equipment that automatically measures and pours a drink, there will always be a need for bartenders. Additional bartender duties include: preparing garnishes for drinks, ordering liquor and other bar supplies, keeping the bar area clean and serving food to and interacting with the patrons sitting at the bar.
  
  Some establishments require their bartenders to have some type of formal education. Although there is no official "bartending degree", there are bartending classes you can take that will teach you the fundamentals of the job.
  
  Many bars and restaurants, especially smaller ones, provide on the job training for new bartenders. This job is a good choice for someone who loves to be around people and lend a listening ear. If you are personable, tips can be quite lucrative.
  
  

Caterer

• Catering is a self-employment career option that doesn't require a culinary degree; however, having one sometimes has its advantages. Some clients might feel more comfortable hiring a caterer with a formal education. All that is required for start-up is the ability to plan meals and cook creatively. Basic cookware, utensils and serving dishes are necessary, as well. Some equipment, needed only occasionally, can be rented until you are making enough profit to purchase it yourself.
  
  The duties of a catering job include: menu planning, shopping for necessary menu ingredients, preparing food to be served, setting and decorating table, serving food and cleaning up the dining and kitchen areas after an event.
  
  It is important to familiarize yourself with state and local zoning laws, before starting out. Depending on where you are located, there might be restrictions on cooking in a non-commercial kitchen.