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Home | Culinary | Culinary Arts | Harry and David's Gourmet Culinary Career

Harry and David's Gourmet Culinary Career

By Marianne Salina

By the time the holidays roll around, Harry and David is rapidly grossing 80% of its $400 million annual sales via it's gourmet catalog. And, everyone is wondering why they didn't enroll in culinary school. With a 65-year culinary career, Harry and David's success is attributed to good marketing, fine chocolates, and blemish-free fruit.

Culinary Arts Programs

Prospective or currently enrolled culinary school students only need a brief history lesson in the Harry and David success story to discover what has always been true--a good product and excellent marketing make money. With two signature culinary delights--the fruit of the month club and the Tower of Treats--Harry and David launched their culinary career through mail-order catalogs. Their strategy included:

  • Attending an excellent culinary arts program
  • Learning the fundamentals of confectionery, baking, and product presentation
  • Taking marketing and business management courses

Marketing and Your Culinary Career

Whether your goal is to establish a name and a culinary career as recognizable as Harry and David or to cater to a local market, advertising is key. By enrolling in a culinary arts program, you can gain exposure to the business strategies of the industry. Culinary school offers business programs that can help you:

  • Operate a commercial kitchen
  • Facilitate customer service
  • Create restaurant design and aesthetics

Good food is always a great start to a culinary career, and your chef skills can certainly reach expert level in a culinary arts program. Great marketing, as Harry and David has demonstrated season after holiday season, is also an essential ingredient.

About the Author
Marianne Salina is a freelance writer in Spokane, Washington. She writes about pursuits in education and degree opportunities.