What Education Do You Need to Become a Menu Planner?
Menu planners work for catering companies, hotels and resorts, restaurants, hospitals, corporate cafeterias, country clubs, airlines and event management companies. They may work as chefs, party or wedding planners, event coordinators, nutritionists or dietitians. Menu planners need education that gives them a solid understanding of food and nutrition. Skills Needed Menu planners need to be able to put together creative plans that meet the dietary needs as well as the culinary tastes of a group of individuals, whether a captive audience, such as passengers on an airplane, or an audience that will choose their food from various options, such as patrons at a restaurant. Menu planners might also need to forecast quantities of food and guarantee that ingredients are readily available. Culinary Arts Training Most menu planners need some culinary training. Vocational schools, community colleges, universities and specialty culinary institutions offer training programs that last two to four ye
