what do you have to do to become a chef or head chef?
I'm asking because I wanna be a chef. #culinary #culinary-arts
2 answers
Dada’s Answer
Start learning cooking skills as you aspire to become a chef by practicing at near by Restaurant - Bakery house , at your home, part-time a restaurant job, and always keep a reality check seek getting inputs from your peers/family members & friends. Its also important that you enroll yourself in a culinary school to learn all the precise technique & get more exposure in the culinary field . Always remember that you will be working around sharp tools , Fire so you must be careful , also protect yourself from hot liquid splashes. There are very few of chefs out there who decide to take culinary career path & succeed.
Your passion for cooking food and cooking just as a career its recommended highly to get a Bachelor’s degree which would give you a solid idea & different opportunities in the culinary / cooking industry jobs! Focusing on classical culinary principles and techniques, You may also opt for program’s coursework & build your knowledge and skills through a carefully chosen sequence of courses with an emphasis on learning by doing. Its always of benefit . Why limit till Head-Chef when you go learning things right way and be on winning streak - You can become an entrepreneur , restaurant owner , Start a catering business - Lots to explore.
All the Best !
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Emarii,
Many chefs receive their training and education on the job working under experienced chefs first as kitchen helpers, and then as line cooks and sous chefs. While working in kitchens, prospective chefs learn how to prep different kinds of food for use in dishes and how to keep their tools and working area clean and sanitized. They also work on mastering knife skills and different kinds of cooking techniques. Chefs also learn how to recognize flavors in foods and to successfully blend those flavors in their dishes. Tasting and adjusting the seasoning of dishes is an important skill for chefs to develop.
Culinary school programs may lead to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or sciences. Students in these programs learn many of the skills that they need to become successful chefs. Through hands-on learning and with mentoring with experienced chefs, students develop their palate, their knife skills, and their skills working with different cuisines and cooking techniques. Culinary programs can last anywhere from several months to four years to complete and typically include one or more internship or externship experiences in area restaurants, hotels, and catering services.
Even those who graduate from culinary arts or sciences programs typically must gain experience working as sous chefs before they can become head chefs.
One does not need a license to work as a chef, but there are some voluntary certifications that chefs may pursue to show they have met certain standards in their education and training. Organizations like the American Culinary Federation, the Culinary Institute of America, the United States Personal Chef Association, and the Research Chefs Association offer certifications to chefs who meet education and experience requirements and pass a certification exam.
It can take several years of training and experience before cooks can begin working as sous chefs in fine dining restaurants. Sous chefs then typically gain years of experience in their positions before becoming head or executive chefs.
With experience, sous chefs can become head or executive chefs. Some chefs open their own restaurants or other types of food service establishments. Running a successful business requires another set of skills, however, and chefs who want to open their own restaurants should cultivate knowledge in management, marketing, and accounting.
Many chefs start out in lower-level jobs in kitchens and work their way up. Even if your goal is to become a head chef, taking a less prestigious position in a high-quality restaurant can be beneficial for your career because of the potential to learn from talented, experienced coworkers and superiors. As you gain experience, you should also build a network of contacts in your area’s culinary community, and this network should be a valuable resource when you are looking for your next job.
Not all chefs work in restaurants, so you can try expanding your job search to positions in hotels and catering services. Becoming a personal chef may be an option for you as well.
In: http://www.howtobecome.com/how-to-become-a-chef
Best!
thank u very much
emarii