Third level culinary courses for a career with food

If you’re passionate about food, love cooking and baking, or if you’re curious about the way food is produced, there are a number of career options in the food industry that you could pursue. 

Find out more about college courses in culinary arts or food science to help you enter that career in the food industry.

College courses for a career with food

If you’re wondering what sort of career path you could take to have a career in food, have a look at the list of third level courses below.

Culinary Arts

This degree combines practical kitchen work with culinary theory, critical thinking and problem solving. Working in a kitchen of a restaurant can be a tough job. As a chef, you have to ensure the meals are good quality, that your kitchen is clean, that your waiting staff are organised and your diners are satisfied.

Potential careers include:

• Chef
• Caterer
• Hospitality management
• Restaurant critics

Food Science

If you are interested in how food is produced, you might be interested in studying food science. There are elements of biology, chemistry and mathematics involved in this course. It can also offer you a route into the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Potential careers include:

• Food production
• Research and development

Nutrition and Dietetics

If you have an interest in biology and want to learn more about how the nutrients in food can support your body and mind, then a course in food and nutrition could work for you. This course covers areas such as understanding complex dietary restrictions and how to help people to eat a nutritious diet.

Potential careers include:

• Clinical nutritionist
• Dietician
• Research 

Bakery and Pastry Arts

If you’re more interested in baking than becoming a chef, there are specific courses out there that focus on baking, as well as teaching the skills required for pastry arts.

Potential careers include:

• Baker
• Dessert chef
• Pastry chef

Culinary Management

If you want to be a restaurant manager, it is helpful to be charismatic, upbeat, organised and able to be very calm under pressure.

Potential careers include:

• Restaurant manager
• Shop owner
• Food and beverage company owner

Read more about choosing a college course and your options after secondary school.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

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