Culinary professional organizations offer a slew of opportunities for positive exposure for your career, including networking, continuing education and opportunities to give back to the culinary community. In addition to cooks, chefs and restaurant owners, members of the culinary associations come from affiliated fields and organizations that support the culinary industry and those who work in it. You also will have numerous occasions to be recognized by other culinary professional organization members.

Affiliation with culinary organizations provides lobbying and network opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own career interests, while you support the industry. Membership in culinary groups often means access to information and contacts that can be important to you and your own company. Regional culinary professional associations offer even more chances to network with local business and restaurant leaders in your community. You can use your membership in culinary associations in a variety of different ways.

1. Expand your network through professional culinary associations

2. Support the industry by participating in a culinary association

3. Stand out as a leader in professional culinary groups

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in professional associations for chefs

Culinary professional organizations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At these culinary organization events, as well as though various committees in which you could participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support the culinary group industry. The business leaders you mingle with could offer a number of career opportunities for you.

I recommend: The International Association of Culinary Professionals offers members continuing education and development opportunities, as well as numerous events meant for networking and fundraising for common causes. Slow Food is a culinary professional organization that supports fine dining and healthy eating throughout the world.

Show your interest by joining culinary organizations

If you are not a chef or restaurant owner, you may still find good reason to join a culinary organization, especially if you hope to do business with any leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in culinary professional associations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The James Beard Foundation supports culinary artists and works to provide scholarships and educational opportunities to future chefs. They are a great culinary group to join for fine dining as well. In addition to continuing ed and networking sessions, The American Culinary Foundation produces a regular publication that covers the culinary industry interests in depth.

Show off your skills at culinary professional organization events

To stand out as an expert and further your own culinary career, you need to be recognized by your peers. Most culinary organizations offer special competitions and opportunities to cook for other chefs in the business. You also could stand out by writing and speaking for a culinary organization.

I recommend: The World Association of Cooks Society sponsors numerous competitions and food exhibits where talented chefs can showcase their latest works. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade organizes a twice-yearly fancy food show that is highly attended and respected in the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a committee in your culinary associations to develop closer relationships with others who could be helpful to your career in the culinary arts.