Cooks and Chefs

Overall, employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all careers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The demand for cooks and chefs will grow as the population increases, consumers demand healthier and higher-quality dishes, and lifestyles change. As people earn higher incomes and have more leisure time, they dine out more often and take more vacations. In addition, working parents and their families dine out, or purchase prepared food from grocery or specialty food stores, frequently as a convenience. The DOL predicts that "there will be strong competition for jobs at upscale restaurants, hotels, and casinos, where the pay is typically highest. Workers with a combination of business skills, previous work experience, and culinary creativity should have the best job prospects."