A lover of food but a reluctant kitchen slave? There are many more options for hard-working, food-loving folks like you who might not want to feed strangers in a rush on a daily basis. Regardless of whether you currently have a desk job, freelancing skills, or a foodie hobby that has persisted over the years, there’s a job out there for you in the food industry should you ever want to make the switch, even if cooking big batches isn’t your cup of tea. Success awaits in one of the oldest industries that constantly reinvents itself – you just have to keep your eyes, and your tummy, open for what it might bring!
Recipe Developer
Ever wondered if all suggested recipes in food packaging were handed down from great grandmothers with some heritage story to boot like they always seem to make it look? While that might sometimes be the case, you don’t have to be a lola with years of kitchen experience to qualify – you just have to have a love for experimentation and an eye for what might be universally acceptable amongst (busy) home cooks. Tucked away in the comfort of your kitchen/lab/office without having to serve hangry customers, you can think as out of the box or as traditional as you (or more realistically, the client) pleases!
Quality Control Officer
If you have the God-endowed gift of discerning taste buds and a science degree, flaunt it! After all, everyone can spot a yummy dish, but not everyone can tell apart what goes in it! Correctly recognizing the ingredients plus sensitivity to slight changes in their quantity makes you a sought-after taste-tester, especially if you can back up your thoughts with sharp, constructive criticism, and smart suggestions. You’ll never have to worry about being hungry because your job will require you to constantly eat!
Food Blogger
With all of the out-of-office, non-boring work bloggers seem to do on stunning locations, it’s no wonder full time blogging has become the dream job of so many 8-to-5ers. Pair that with your beaming awe for anything adventurously culinary and a talent in writing or video editing (which can truly be a taxing behind-the-scenes task) – and you’ve got yourself a recipe for success in the online world.
Market Researcher
Got a solid understanding of data analysis, and how brands align their findings with their annual advertisement and promotional campaigns? Then you can apply your skills to the one thing your heart and tummy really craves – food! It’s a desk heavy job, but there’s a ton of action and communication too when you’re out on the field gathering data. Get ready to meet a lot of people with a multitude of perspectives, and develop your EQ skills so you can fish out their honest opinions no matter how shy they may seem to be!
Food Stylist
Put your creative plating skills to the test and see if your obra maestras will make it on your clients’ menu board, the cover of a magazine, or maybe even a billboard in EDSA! An art background and a strong awareness of photography principles will really help to make the food pop onscreen. There are many tricks of the trade to learn – and you’d be surprised that in the food world, plated dishes takes a team many laborious hours of science and construction to look casual yet stable under the glaring studio lights!
Purchasing Manager
With the day to day hustle and bustle in the kitchen, some food establishments need a dedicated person who will take care of the market list and ensure everything is bought fresh but within budget. If you are naturally good at haggling and an eager shopper, this might just be the job for you! Exercise brains and brawn in finding the best suppliers out there!
Rare Ingredients Forager
If you have a knack for adventure and like to seek hidden treasures in the form of hard-to-find, non-commercially farmed ingredients, then becoming a professional forager is an option for you. It might sound like a dig-in-the-dumps job, but if your search involves high-value exotic items that are typically in demand by exclusive restaurants, then you’ve found yourself a niche market to serve! Capitalize on your rare outdoorsy knowledge, whilst showing off your Man vs. Wild skills to boot too!
Event Organizer
Food bazaars happen when foodies collide and make an effort to share their experiences together. If you know and support many food-preneurs out there, use your enterprising skills to bring their brands further and organize food bazaars in high traffic areas to maximize their exposure and sales! You might also want to cater for private and corporate events in a party-planner meets foodie kind of project! Test your negotiation and networking skills for this highly sociable foodie job that keeps you on your toes inside and outside of the kitchen!
Know of any other foodie job opportunities? Share them with us!
