As a Vegan Chef, You'll Be the Last One Standing

Your culinary arts program will give you a firm foundation in a wide variety of disciplines, so even if you'd like to become a sashimi chef, you won't necessarily be out of business when the next fish scare comes along. However, there is one area of cooking that will successfully weather occasional scares and diseases. By becoming a gourmet vegan chef, it's possible to enjoy a lucrative career immune to mad cow disease, mercury, avian flu, and any other conditions that could cause people to alter their eating habits dramatically.

Will You Lack Versatility as a Gourmet Vegan Chef?

You're probably thinking, "I don't know many vegans. Do they really represent a sizable market?" Not exactly. The current figure stands around 1% of the US population. But that's not the point. As a vegan gourmet chef, you'll still know how to prepare filet mignon, chocolate cake, or California rolls. But when eggs, meat, and poultry become "taboo," switching to other ingredients becomes relatively easy. Because chocolate lovers will always want to eat their cake, becoming a gourmet vegan chef will help you keep your throngs of admirers when times are rough for more meat-dependent culinary experts.

Ultimately, you should specialize in the foods that you love the most. But if you're interested in pursuing a long term chef career, consider taking a few vegan courses while in school. A little extra insurance never hurt anyone.

Sources
ABC News
The Vegetarian Resource Group