Food Critic Careers Information
Food critics use their formidable palate in conjunction with an incisive writing style to help their readers know the best places to find their next meal. Traditionally, food criticism has been, in effect, restaurant criticism; hungry people are warned away from less than great establishments and directed toward the best.
Food Critic Careers & Degrees
- Grand Canyon University: Online
At the topmost level of cuisine, the words of respected food critic careers can make or break a new restaurant. Today, food critics may explore the foodstuffs of street vendors or farmer’s markets and so have an even wider appeal.
Food critics may be employed by a certain publication or work freelance. Traditionally, food critics have written for newspapers, which enjoy a broad circulation. With the proliferation of food-related publications, however, many now write for specialized magazines, such as Bon Appetit and Gourmet.
In recent years, some food critics have moved into the realm television and star in their own shows on networks dedicated to food. With the advent of internet and mobile devices, anyone can now be an amateur food critic and post his review to one of the many websites that review food establishments.
Nevertheless, with the sheer number of dishes they have tried and their uncanny ability to use words to describe flavors and smells, professional food critics are still sought for their advice. When we are deciding whether or not to try that new dish at our favorite restaurant or if we should take a chance on the eatery that just opened its doors, it is the food critic we turn to.
Food Critic Careers Path
Food critics do not require any specialized degree to work. However, the strong writing skills that are required for such work mean that a Bachelor’s degree might be useful, especially one in English.
Coursework in culinary schools may be useful, but far more useful would be the experience of trying many foods and writing about the experience. Having a strong portfolio of published work, as for any writer, is the best way for a food critic to find work.
Food Critic Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Excellent written communicator, enjoys a wide variety of food, adventurous, fair, objective, works well with others, willing to travel and/or likes urban areas.
Food Critic Careers: Salary Expectations
The amount a food critic earns is greatly dependent on her status as well as if she is a salaried or freelance writer. As a salaried writer working for a newspaper or magazine, a food critic may earn an average of $43,450 a year.
Freelance writers, of course, can make much more or much less money, depending on the number of articles sold and the publications in which they appear. Food critics with name recognition have the potential to earn a great deal of money.
With more experience, food critics may be able to build a following and either land a salaried job or publish articles in larger and more prestigious publications for more money.
Food Critic Careers: Job Outlook
As with most writing positions, the job outlook for food critics is mixed in the coming years. The decline in revenues for traditional print media has meant budget cuts at major organizations, with feature sections such as food criticism and restaurant reviewing being some of the first to go.
On the other hand, the new media of the internet coupled with the growing popularity of all things culinary,as show by entire television networks devoted to food and cooking,has increased demand for the services a food critic provides.
Food critics comfortable in new media platforms, especially those who are able to find a way to translate such electronic publishing into revenue, should have the best chance of making a living as a food critic.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos320.htm
