For as many chefs there are in the world, there are an equal amount of reasons to become interested in careers in the culinary arts. Some professional cooks see the job as the mastery of a time-honored craft. Others enjoy finding creative ways to make a meal both tasty and nutritious, and some enjoy the heat and glamour of cooking on the set of the Food Network's Iron Chef.

One teenager from South Dakota became interested in cooking because of a fascination with European cultures. A student of European history, Jonathan Vasa has brought his interests into the kitchen of his family's home, where he has become the regular cook.

The 15-year-old believes that his interest in food developed from the appeal of studying the traditions of other people around the world.

He cited that gumbo is one of his favorite dishes because "it's a combination of African-American and French cuisine." Vasa notes that in accordance with traditional cooking methods, "you have to use a roux. It takes a lot of care, effort and technique, and you get to cook a long time."

Research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the culinary industry will experience one of the largest increases in new jobs until 2016, predicting about 351,000 new jobs over that span.