Career Exploration in the Culinary Industry

This fall, Michigan Works! Southwest staff accompanied nine students on an industry tour hosted by Brick and Brine, a popular local restaurant. Students sampled a three-course meal, viewed an informative video, and participated in discussions focused on culinary hospitality, which provided valuable insights into the industry’s customer service and guest experience elements! The tour included a meeting with the chef and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the kitchen, which offered the students a firsthand view of the culinary operations and the environment where the meals are created!

This industry tour and experience introduced the students to a variety of career paths and job opportunities within the culinary field. Brick and Brine employees shared specific tasks that each was responsible for, as well as the necessary education and skill sets needed. Insights into the employees’ own career journey led to discussing current hiring opportunities and the youth were provided guidance on the application process, once they were qualified to apply.

To complement the tour, the Career Pathfinder tool was utilized to explore detailed information about the professions that were highlighted during the event, including salary expectations and educational requirements.

Many of the participants shared that the tour provided them with valuable insights into the real-world operations of the culinary industry and allowed them to explore various aspects of restaurant management, culinary techniques, and industry standards. This hands-on experience broadened the students’ understanding of potential career opportunities and equipped them to make informed decisions about their future in the culinary field.