New Hampshire, like most of the states in New England, is a great state for aspiring chefs. Chefs in New Hampshire have access to some of the finest seafood in the country. There are over 1.3 million people living in New Hampshire, plus the thousands of tourists that cross state lines every year.
The cost of living in New Hampshire is 18% above the national average, which puts it in line with the cost of living in other New England States. Some of the biggest cities in New Hampshire are Manchester, Nashua, and Concord. These cities are home to some of New Hampshire’s most well-regarded restaurants, including Yama II, Shio, and Moat Mountain Smoke House and Brewery.
Despite its small size, New Hampshire has many educational opportunities for prospective chefs. There are four culinary schools in the state, including two universities and two community colleges. Because you have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree, the average cost of tuition is fairly high. The average cost of tuition in New Hampshire is $14,775, but the tuition cost is lower at community colleges. Tuition costs are often offset by scholarships, and the average scholarship award in New Hampshire is $11,188.
As you prepare to start a culinary program, it’s important to know that there are two main ways you learn in culinary school. While book knowledge is important, practical skills are very important in the culinary world as well. You may need to know the technical terms for kitchen methods, kitchen tools, and more. However, you also need to be able to carry out a variety of kitchen tasks promptly and efficiently.
The first few weeks of your culinary program will likely focus on the basic skills you need as a line chef. Line chefs need to be able to quickly prep food, prioritize orders, and plan different items so that all the food comes up at one time. However, don’t think that you are going to be done after you learn each task in school. Instead, you need to be able to practice these skills on a regular basis.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on a wide range of employment opportunities for culinary graduates. 13% of chefs are self-employed, either as restaurant owners, private chefs, or private caterers. If you have business acumen, this may be an excellent option for you. You may also be able to work for a catering company or private chef company to see what the field is like.
However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that 46% of chefs work in a restaurant. The majority of job opportunities you find may be in this area.
Some of the most prominent culinary employers in New Hampshire are Sodexo and Shio.
New Hampshire falls in line with other New England states by not requiring cooks or chefs to become licensed or certified. This saves you time in the job search, so it is a significant benefit. While you do not need certification, many chefs choose to pursue American Culinary Federation certification. This can help you show employers what your skills are.
New Hampshire chefs can earn a range of salaries, depending on experience level and seniority level. Executive chefs tend to earn the highest salaries, followed by sous chefs and line chefs.
New Hampshire restaurant cooks earn an average salary of $25,100 per year (O*Net, 2012). Chefs earn an average salary of $39,800 per year (O*Net, 2012).
The hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing fields in the country. This trend carries through in New Hampshire. Restaurant cooks can anticipate an 11% increase in job openings between 2010 and 2020 (O*Net, 2010). The demand for chefs is not expected to change much in that same time frame (O*Net, 2010).