Gerry Rosato, executive head chef at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, part of Northern Ireland's biggest hotels group, followed a family tradition by becoming a chef.
"Becoming a chef was a simple decision for me because my family's roots are in the industry in Italy. For me, however, the strongest influence came from an older brother who left school to train as a chef and travelled the world. I decided to follow in his footsteps and signed up for a three-year training course at a further education college in Belfast."
"My first job was as a trainee chef with Trust House Forte in Northern Ireland. Experience with such a well-known catering organisation served me well and I subsequently gained posts in England, Switzerland and Canada."
"Management is another good career path. My role at the Europa Hotel, for example, covers all aspects of the kitchen, from selecting and ordering of food right through to the serving of meals."