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Original poster

Careers in Food?

38 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 19:31

DD is currently in Year 10 but, in a year’s time, will have to consider A level choices.

She loves cooking and is doing Food Tech GCSE.

Looking ahead, what career choices and university courses are there around this subject?
Doesn’t have to be pure cheffing (not a word, but you get what I mean?!) as I would imagine this would involve her going to a very expensive cookery school?

Do universities offer cookery courses?

OP posts:
LadyMonicaBaddingham · 30/12/2022 19:38

A further education college will have a range of vocational and vastly more suitable courses for someone wishing to make food their career. Don't allow the school to shoehorn them into sixth form for their own nefarious reasons...

IET · 30/12/2022 19:39

Anything in the hospitality industry. I knew a few waiters, bar tenders and restaurant managers who started as chefs, but she wouldn't need to do the chef part if she loves food. If she works somewhere very high end, she can expect a decent salary. I used to work in celebrity chef type restaurants as a waiter, a hostess and a hotel receptionist. The pay was not bad at all (but the hours were long). I make a lot less now as a TA, but the hours are way better. I also got to do things like finish desserts which I loved. I'd have been a pastry chef in another life I think!

Also things like nutritionist, dietitian, Home Economist maybe. Or she could work as a chef but not in a traditional restaurant. Some chefs train and then work as personal chefs or in private member's clubs.

She could teach food tech or be the food technician in a school

interestedcat · 30/12/2022 19:41

Food product development?

LIZS · 30/12/2022 19:45

Nutritionist, catering?

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 19:46

Didn’t think of Nutrition!
Is that a degree subject?

OP posts:
MrsOnions0 · 30/12/2022 19:48

A couple of friends work in product development for the big supermarkets. I.e “chilled goods” “pizza”. One went to Reading and did BSc Food Science with Industrial Training as it gives a year in industry. Another did the same course at Sheffield Hallam. I’m sure other unis may do similar. Both have very good careers

nottheoptics · 30/12/2022 19:50

My cousin is a chef. No expensive cookery school. Did a college course for a couple of years and worked their way up in kitchens. Became head chef after about 10 years. It's not an easy job but my cousin is very happy.

Lovemusic33 · 30/12/2022 19:50

Why does she need to go to uni?
uni isn’t the best choice for everyone and if she wants to be a chef college and work experience is the best way (I talk from experience). Get her to message local restaurants for work experience even if it’s waitressing or kitchen porter work.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 19:51

Product Development sounds interesting too.

OP posts:
Eightypercent · 30/12/2022 19:52

DBro is a chef and in the Michelin Guide. He took catering at the local tech, no private courses. It is an incredibly tough career choice, long unsociable hours and physically very repetitive - lots of RSI.

Cheffing absolutely is a word 🙂

Maybe food science?

Threecrookedhearts · 30/12/2022 19:55

I didn't do A levels- I went to college and did a BTEC. The college was called Birmingham College of Food then but University College Birmingham now- great place to study Food/chef etc. Has a v good reputation within the food industry. They offer T levels and degrees. www.ucb.ac.uk/study/college/

gossipgoat · 30/12/2022 19:55

I work as a food product development technologist and I couldn't recommend it more! I did a degree in food science and there are so many career opportunities open in the food manufacturing/retail industry.

RacheltheReindeer · 30/12/2022 19:57

There are also apprenticeships in Food Science - DC did a Level 3 (A Level equivalent) and is now half way through a degree apprenticeship, working in Product Innovation at the same time.

Retrievemysanity · 30/12/2022 19:59

My friend did a food science degree. She ended doing product development at a dairy coming up with those different flavoured cheeses you get at Christmas! She even had a product on the M&S Christmas advert one year!

Rummikub · 30/12/2022 20:00

Nestle offer a confectionary degree apprenticeship

Unilever recruit for product development from science grads.

LIZS · 30/12/2022 20:02

BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 19:46

Didn’t think of Nutrition!
Is that a degree subject?

Yes look at Surrey, Bath Spa, Kings London etc

imalreadygone · 30/12/2022 20:06

BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 19:51

Product Development sounds interesting too.

Can make a fortune doing this

imalreadygone · 30/12/2022 20:07

Supply chain management?

Aposterhasnoname · 30/12/2022 20:16

I work in food tech. It’s the best job in the world. Every day is different. I work on the compliance side now, but previously was in product development, and before that QA. Theres a shortage of suitably qualified people, so plenty of jobs. Im old, so worked my way up, but these days most places want a food science degree. Where I work has a graduate program that involves being sent to Costa Rica and the Dom Rep to work for a year. It’s a brilliant career path and I recommend it to anyone.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 20:30

Where are the best university degree courses for Food Science? And which A levels are required?

OP posts:
Faultymain5 · 30/12/2022 20:34

I just watched a Korean romcom where the protagonist was a food researcher, working in the R&D dept of a food company. Never knew such jobs existed.

RacheltheReindeer · 30/12/2022 20:41

BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 20:30

Where are the best university degree courses for Food Science? And which A levels are required?

There are a few : www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/food-science

I'd suggest your DC tries to get a week's work experience with a local firm - where are you, PP might be able to suggest companies that might help?

littlejo67 · 30/12/2022 21:01

What about a food sciences degree eventually. I have a family member that has a job in research and development for a pharmaceutical/nutrition company.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/12/2022 21:08

Does anyone know which A levels are requires to study a Food Sciences degree?
I can’t seem to find it on that link.

OP posts:
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