Schooling Needed to Be a Food Critic

Food critics turn their love of both communication and dining into a viable career.

Food critics tell others about the foods they eat. This information helps people appreciate different dishes and serves as a guide for where to eat and who prepares food well. The educational path for someone who wants to be a food critic is not set in stone, but aspiring critics must become familiar with both writing and the culinary arts to do their job well.

General Guide

According to BestCollegesOnline.com, there are no standard educational requirements for food critics. However, because of the nature of the food critic's job, employers usually want someone with a background in writing. They also want someone who has an understanding of different cuisines and culinary techniques. Accordingly, the two main educational paths for someone who wants to be a food critic are a certificate or degree in English or journalism and a certificate or degree in culinary arts or food service.

English or Journalism

As a food critic, a major part of your job is writing down your impressions of the food you sample. Both a journalism or English certificate or degree prepare you to do this. With an English certificate or degree, you will focus on different elements of writing, such as grammar, formatting and tone. Classes in literature expose you to great writers and provide information on the history of the writing craft and specific works. Creative writing courses teach you how to express yourself in a voice all your own. Journalism programs also touch on these subjects, but you'll need to take other classes such as ethics and journalism law, as well as media production, advertising and communications.

Culinary Arts and Food Service

Culinary arts and food service certificates and degrees teach you what chefs and other food preparation workers have to do in order to prepare a good meal. This gives you valuable insight into whatever foods you sample. Take classes such as nutrition, use of leftover food and waste minimization, purchasing and inventory methods, menu planning, sanitation and public health rules for handling food, portion control and proper food storage procedures. Also useful are courses in food service management, computer accounting and inventory software.

Internships and On-the-Job Training

Because there are no formal education requirements for food critics, you might be able to get the education you need from working in restaurants or assisting another food critic. Writing for newspapers and magazines and blogging also helps. Some programs require internships so you can apply your training hands-on.

Considerations

Regardless of what path you take to become a food critic, you should take some classes on weight management and fitness. Food critics eat for a living, and often they must set aside calorie considerations somewhat in order to provide a wide variety of reviews. The other side of the job, writing, is a sedentary activity that does not allow critics to burn off many of the calories in the food they eat.

References

• BestCollegesOnline.com; Food Critic; 2011