How You Can Help Your Child

Wondering how you can help your child make the most of his or her future in the culinary and hospitality industry? For starters, it can be as simple as lending the same support you always have as a parent. Encourage them to follow their dreams and passions.

Encourage their curiosity, too. Ask to talk to the chef when you're out to dinner or at a nice resort while you're all on vacation. Even ask if they can spend a day in the kitchen to see how things operate. If they're anything like our children, they'll turn red with embarrassment, but they'll also learn a lot. And a potential future employer may just be impressed enough to remember it a couple years down the road.

It would also help to encourage them to immerse themselves in the industry. Getting an entry-level job now can help increase their marketability after graduation. The more experience, no matter what level, the better. Part time jobs in restaurants, bakeries, hotels and resorts will teach your child about important basics of restaurant work such as food safety and working on a team. That's background employers want employees to have on day one. Work experience is a great way to learn how the business really works and show prospective employers the dedication and hunger (if you'll pardon the pun) they're looking for.