Peernovo
Specialist professionals not classified elsewhere

How to become a Food Coordinator

Plans and coordinates food businesses using wide knowledge of food, working with chefs, dietitians, product developers, architects who design restaurants and others.

How to become one

Knowledge of food is needed, so many people have graduated from food-related departments at universities or tanki daigaku (junior colleges) or from cookery courses at senmon gakko (vocational colleges). A qualification is the food coordinator qualification certified by the Japan Food Coordinator Association. Holding qualifications such as licensed cook, dietitian or confectionery hygienist also lets you use that knowledge in the work. Many people gain experience in product development or restaurant management at food manufacturers or in the restaurant industry, and then work as food coordinators. Some build a track record and go independent as freelancers. Knowledge needed includes ingredients and cooking, tableware and table settings, and dining styles and service techniques. On top of that, you need information-gathering skills, practical planning skills, teamwork with the people involved, and presentation and communication skills.

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Related jobs

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Food Coordinator?

Knowledge of food is needed, so many people have graduated from food-related departments at universities or tanki daigaku (junior colleges) or from cookery courses at senmon gakko (vocational colleges). A qualification is the food coordinator qualification certified by the Japan Food Coordinator Association. Holding qualifications such as licensed cook, dietitian or confectionery hygienist also lets you use that knowledge in the work. Many people gain experience in product development or restaurant management at food manufacturers or in the restaurant industry, and then work as food coordinators. Some build a track record and go independent as freelancers. Knowledge needed includes ingredients and cooking, tableware and table settings, and dining styles and service techniques. On top of that, you need information-gathering skills, practical planning skills, teamwork with the people involved, and presentation and communication skills.

How much does a Food Coordinator earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥5,833,100 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Specialist professionals not classified elsewhere, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Food Coordinator?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 67% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Food Coordinator?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026