There may be a recession going on, but people still need to eat. If you love food and have harbored fantasies about launching a culinary career, FOOD JOBS: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and FOOD Lovers by Irena Chalmers (Beaufort Books; September 1, 2008; $19.95/paperback) may be just the book for you.

There are lots of books being peddled at bookstores that talk about culinary careers. Many never get past the obvious choices–chef, baker, etc. If I ever decide to hang up my journalist’s spurs, this is the book I’ll turn to. Who knew I could earn money being a truffle hunter??

What makes this guide unique is that author Irena Chalmers uncovers a host of fabulous–and often unconventional–ways to be employed in the culinary world. Did you know you can be a yacht chef, a chewing gum taster or a fortune cookie writer?

There’s also lots of information on more conventional culinary careers–everything from becoming a chef to a launching a business as a specialty food retailer. Alice Waters and Anthony Bourdain, as well as a host of other luminaries, offer plenty of musings on the real-world jobs and challenges of working in the food world.

I heard Chalmers speak the other night. She’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable– and her grasp of the food world shows in this highly useful guide. She’s determined that if you really want a career in food, you can find one. With this book in hand, you’ll get a running start on making that goal a reality.

Related posts:

1. Hankering to Start a Food Career?
2. Lidia Bastianich Supports Young Chefs
3. Jewish Food: The JCC’s Yiddish (Food) Festival