As the number of two-income families grows, cooking time grows scarce, and more Americans are eating out in restaurants. Accordingly, job opportunities for all types of cooks and chefs, along with other restaurant service occupations, are expected to increase throughout the next few decades. So if you've always had a vision of yourself as the next Julia Child or Paul Prudhomme, this is a good time to start the ball rolling. A career as a chef is also a great jumping-off point if you've ever dreamed of starting your own restaurant or catering business.

What They Do:

Most chefs do just what you'd expect them to do: cook food. How they do that, though, depends a lot on where they work. Chefs who work in chains or institutions cook specified dishes according to specified recipes, while those who work in restaurants have more room for creativity and may even invent their own masterpieces. In addition, chefs either do some grunt work like washing dishes, or they supervise others who do. Some, especially those who own their own restaurants, also get to (or have to, depending on your point of view) schmooze with the customers.

Why It's Cooler Than It Sounds:

We're not just talking about flipping burgers at McDonald's here. As an elegant chef, you don't just fry up food; you "create cuisine." But only if you want to. There's lots of fulfillment to be found, even if you're simply dreaming up tasty bar snacks for the local grill. Is there any other profession where your artistry contributes so directly to the pleasure and fulfillment of your customers? Legal profession, that is.

What they earn:

Anywhere from minimum wage to six figures.

How to begin:

Believe it or not, being a chef is one of the most entrepreneurial career choices available to young job seekers -- at lots of different levels, your creativity can pay off. For that reason, where you start your career is less important than once you do what you've started. There are as many ways to train for a cooking career as there are different types of cooks. The ubiquitous short-order cook's job requires little or no formal training. However, becoming a chef in a fancy restaurant generally requires months or years of study at a culinary institute. For more information about culinary programs, you can write to: American Culinary Federation P.O. Box 3466 St. Augustine, FL 32085.

If you aspire to operate your own restaurant or catering business, some background in business is also very helpful.