Working in the culinary field demands creativity, discipline, and long hours. Although it can be grueling, it can also be immensely fulfilling. Whether you’re fresh out of culinary school or already working your way through a kitchen hierarchy, there comes a point when you start wondering what’s next – and how you’re going to get there.
Advancing in your culinary career isn’t always about landing a big promotion or opening your own restaurant right away. It’s about building momentum, developing a reputation, and learning how to turn skill into opportunity.
Fortunately, there are clear, practical ways to move forward – whatever your personal goals happen to be.
Start with a Self-Assessment
Before you map out your next move, take some time to understand where you are now — and where you actually want to go. There’s no universal path to success in the culinary world, and different people want different things out of their careers. One person might want to lead a fine dining team, while another simply wants to publish their own cookbook.
These are some of the most important questions to ask yourself in your self-assessment:
- What do I enjoy most about my current role (or culinary arts, generally)?
- What kind of culinary work excites me long-term?
- What skills or experiences am I missing?
- What would bring me fulfillment?
Learn the Business Side of Food
Being a strong cook is essential. But if you want to lead, own, or innovate in this field, you’ll also need to understand the business side of the industry, including how to create a product that your audience wants, how to optimize profit margins, and even how to manage other people.
You don’t need to become a full-time business leader, but developing financial and operational awareness gives you a serious edge, especially if you want to move into leadership roles or run your own venture one day.
Experiment to Expand Your Skill Set (In and Out of the Kitchen)
The culinary world is evolving fast. Staying relevant means continuing to learn — not just new recipes, but new techniques, tools, and approaches to food.
For example, you can:
- Take specialized classes. You can learn a lot with respect to topics like baking, cooking, butchery, plating, or niche concepts like plant-based cuisine.
- Study global cuisines. You might be surprised at how much they can inspire your own growth.
- Learn food photography or styling. This is especially important if you’re interested in media or digital work.
The broader your skill set, the more flexible and valuable you become.
Seek Mentorship (And Be a Good Mentee)
Working with a mentor can be a game-changer. A good mentor offers guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback from someone who’s already walked the path you’re on. They can help you make smart career decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and navigate challenges with more confidence.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone you admire, whether it’s a head chef, manager, or business owner, if they’d be open to sharing advice or meeting occasionally to talk through your growth. And if you’re not sure where to start, culinary associations or alumni networks can be great resources for finding mentors in your field.
Just remember that mentoring is a two-way relationship. Be prepared, stay humble, and take action on what you learn.
Build Your Reputation Outside the Kitchen
Hard work and talent speak for themselves, but only if the right people hear about them. If you want to stand out in a competitive field, it helps to be visible. Attend local industry events, enter competitions, volunteer for promising opportunities, and make sure you maintain a portfolio of your best work.
Also, stay active on social media and connect with other professionals in the field. Networking is an indispensable tool for success in this field.
Keep Your Resume (and Your Mindset) Fresh
If your career has hit a plateau, it might be time to reassess your current position. Are you learning new things? Is your workplace supportive of growth? If not, a change may be necessary to get to the next level.
Keep an updated resume, portfolio, and personal pitch ready to go. That way, when the right opportunity pops up, you’re not scrambling to prepare. Stay open to roles that challenge you in new ways, even if they’re merely lateral moves.
Play the Long Game
Culinary success rarely happens overnight. It takes time to build trust, refine your style, and earn leadership roles. The key is to keep moving forward consistently.
Your culinary career is uniquely yours, and there’s no single “right” path to success. What matters is that you’re moving deliberately, growing your skill set, and building a professional life you’re proud of. Even the smallest steps will carry you in the right direction.
