Macrobiotic Chef Certification
Macrobiotics is a practice of promoting well-being through a healthy lifestyle, which is adopted by some as an alternative treatment for cancer, depression, migraines and arthritis. Macrobiotic chefs offer private lessons in making the transition between the standard American diet and the legumes and whole grains that are central to a macrobiotic diet. Sometimes called healing cooks, macrobiotic chefs teach people how to read food labels, eat a balanced diet and make other healthy lifestyle choices.
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Certification
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Most people simply do not know how to achieve health, vitality and clarity of mind. Studying how to be a healing cook and counselor will teach students how to use food as healing tools, how to visually diagnose health issues, and how to manipulate energy currents in the body through Eastern practices such as shiatsu or qigong. As students progress through the certification process, they become examples of health. Healthy food choices, followed by exercise and lifestyle, make up the practice of macrobiotics.
Culinary Institutes
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Many macrobiotic chefs receive training at a culinary institute that offers courses in macrobiotics. Through some technical school programs and culinary institutes, students can earn an associate's degree in macrobiotics and take courses in ethnic dishes and food safety and handling, as well.
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Kushi Institute
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Macrobiotics chef certification is also available through the Kushi Institute, where three-week-long training sessions are required to become certified as a macrobiotics instructor before a student can enroll in the counselor or healing cook program. The entire program takes about two years to complete and as of March 2010 costs around $9,000.
Employment Outlook
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The macrobiotic movement began in the 1980s and is gaining greater acceptance, especially as an alternative to cancer treatment, according to the Kushi Institute. More and more clinics and hospitals are hiring macrobiotic chefs and counselors to help their patients adopt healthier lifestyles. Wealthy clients sometimes hire private chefs to cook for them. Several restaurants, especially along the West Coast, feature a macrobiotic menu and are vegetarian or vegan friendly.
Salary Range
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According to the Los Angeles Times, in 2007 macrobiotic chefs entered the work force commanding between $35,000 to $50,000. Private chefs earn between $200 to $300 a day. According to the Kushi Institute, macrobiotic counselors charge between $100 to $300 per session, which is usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours long.
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References
- Photo Credit healthy food image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com
