Bon Appetit: 4 Best Cities For Chefs

If you’ve decided to dedicate your life to the culinary arts, numerous places around the country are a perfect fit. From resort towns to large metropolitan areas, many restaurants are in need of a great chef to cook up some delicious cuisine in a variety of styles. Here are just a few of the cities around the country that cater to the best chefs.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is a relative newcomer to the scene, but a recent population boom and a plethora of innovative entrepreneurs has made the city a hotspot for new restaurants. Perhaps the most popular trend is the food truck, which blends different styles, and includes fare such as burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. Additionally, the town is known for Vietnamese and Thai food, which often blends nicely with other types of food. The best news is that chefs here make a pretty good average living at $46,667 annually, which makes it one of the best places to live for prospective chefs.

Saint Louis, MO

The Gateway City has long been one of the premier cities for original culinary ideas, and due to low startup costs and inexpensive property, many restaurants continue to pop up throughout the city. Although a mid-sized city, Saint Louis has many eclectic neighborhoods that have different specialties. The Hill offers Italian food (and the amazing toasted ravioli) and gelato, while the Delmar Loop has everything from Pho to barbecue to a Korean taco joint. With a super low-cost of living plus an annual salary of just over $43,000, Saint Louis is a great fit for chefs.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Take a walk down the Las Vegas Strip and you’ll notice hundreds of restaurants all in one small area, all in need of chefs. In fact, Las Vegas has 2,820 chef openings, making it one of the largest markets in the country. Depending on your skill level and expertise, Las Vegas almost certainly has the perfect job for you, as it serves up nearly every type of food imaginable from pub food to hundred-dollar steak dinners. As a chef, expect to earn an average annual salary of about $49,000, with a chance to earn more, especially if you own your own restaurant.

Bethesda, Maryland

Bethesda, located just outside Washington, D.C., is an affluent neighborhood that offers chefs the opportunity to make some of the highest salaries in the country. This is due to a wealthy population that often wants premium food with little regard to cost. This makes job competition much stronger, however, as chefs need to have skills for each specific type of cuisine. Average chefs in Bethesda make nearly $60,000 a year, and popular restaurants include Mexican, American, Italian, and seafood menu items.

No matter where you choose to start your career as a chef, make certain to pick a town that suits your needs both in and outside of work. The happier you are with your job and your surroundings, the more you’ll excel at what you do best - cook great food.