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If you think positions in restaurants and grocery stores are the only food jobs available - think again! Check out http://grocery.coloradojobs.com for more.

Although they might not be very popular, there are plenty of jobs that allow you to eat and get paid for it. These jobs include everything from sommeliers and chefs to caterers and product promoters. Another plus - most of the jobs pay well and will continue to grow in the coming years. Some positions also might require a criminal background check.

Here’s a look at CareerBuilder’s list of 10 Jobs That Let You Sample Food:

1. Sommelier - While sommeliers are better known as wine connoisseurs, their specialty is to choose wines that will compliment a patron’s entree. That means they get to sample various wines and food dishes. In order to become a master sommelier, which is the highest professional title in the industry, you must pass three levels of exams from the Court of Master Sommeliers. These employees can earn anywhere from $35,000 per year to $149,000 per year.
2. Event planner - These employees are responsible for planning meetings, conferences, parties, and other events. That planning includes choosing a venue, activities, and food choices. Most candidates for event planner positions have a bachelor’s degree and earn an average salary of $44,590 per year.
3. Chef - A slightly more popular food-related job, chefs work in restaurants or other food venues to plan, prepare, and cook meals, as well as supervise kitchen staff. Most chefs have a good amount of experience and many have a two or four-year degree. They earn an average of $35,840 per year.
4. Quality control technician - These employees work in food manufacturing plants to test food and food creation methods. They are responsible for making sure that a company’s food is uniform in taste, color, safety, and quality. Most employers require candidates to have an associate’s degree and will pay an average salary of $33,260 per year.
5. Food scientist - Using their knowledge of science, these employees work to find new ways of processing and packaging food. They may also analyze nutritional content and develop new flavors and preservatives. Most food scientists have a bachelor’s degree and earn an average salary of $56,840 per year.
6. Caterer - These employees work with clients to create menus and prepare and serve food for a variety of special events. Most employees start their careers as chefs or cooks and move their up to becoming a caterer. They earn an average salary of about $50,000 per year.
7. Restaurant critic - This is a great job for opinionated eaters. Restaurant critics order meals at a variety of establishments in order to sample food, observe service, and write reviews for publication. Most employees have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or English and earn an average salary of $40,370 per year.
8. Dietitian - These employees teach patients how to adopt proper eating habits and how to adjust their diet. Most states require dietitians to complete a formal education program, become licensed, and partake in continuing education. Dietitians earn an average salary of $45,950 per year.
9. Server - Better known as waiters and waitresses, these employees take customers’ orders and bring food to the table. They’re required to be very familiar with the restaurant’s menu in case they are asked to give a recommendation. Most servers have a high school diploma and earn an average salary of $16,310 per year.
10. Product promoter - These employees promote a specific product by offering samples and trying to solicit sales. This job typically does not require any specific level of education. Product promoters earn an average salary of $24,570 per year.

Salary data came from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, StarChefs.com, and Payscale.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 9:28 am and is filed under Food, job search. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.