(Optional) Identify specialized markets and entrepreneurial opportunities in culinary arts professions and food-related industries.

Identification may include

  • employment as a personal chef
  • catering
  • specialized food products (e.g., wedding cakes, cheesecakes, edible baskets)
  • convenience dinners
  • home meal replacements
  • school nutrition and child nutrition
  • food writing.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

  • What is meant by the term specialized market or niche market?
  • How can niche markets present entrepreneurial opportunities?

Communication

  • How can a food service establishment communicate its services to specialized markets locally?
  • What communication skills are needed to identify niche markets and market food services to them?

Leadership

  • How can food service employees help the establishment owner discover niche markets to increase market share?
  • Why should leaders be up to date regarding the availability and nature of specialized markets?

Management

  • What resources are available to learn about specialized markets in an area?
  • How can management encourage employee creativity to fulfill needs in specialized markets?