5 answers
Zohra’s Answer
A chef can choose among diverse career paths, including personal chef, hotel chef, restaurant chef or private chef for a corporate client. Some chefs even own and manage their own restaurants. In large kitchens, the head chef has the primary management responsibilities, from menu planning to inventory control and supervision of staff. A chef's career preparation also varies, but it normally includes practical experience, often combined with formal education.
On-the-Job Training
Many chefs learn their skills through on-the-job training in restaurants or other kitchens. Some begin as dishwashers or other support staff, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while others start out as cooks. Rising to chef through experience alone takes many years. Restaurants often ask their experienced chefs to mentor and train other chefs and head cooks.
Apprenticeships
Formal apprenticeship training programs for chefs often combine practical kitchen experience with class work. The U.S. Department of Labor, trade unions, cooking schools and the American Culinary Federation sponsor these training programs. For example, the ACF offers a choice of internships lasting 1,000 hours, 4,000 hours or 6,000 hours, plus a hybrid program that includes class study. The 4,000-hour apprenticeship takes two years to complete.
Formal Education
Many chefs learn their skills in formal educational programs in secondary schools, culinary schools, technical schools, community colleges and four-year colleges. Some chain hotels, restaurants and the military also offer formal training for chefs. Post-secondary schools offer culinary certificates, two-year degrees and four-year degrees. More than 200 training programs nationwide have achieved accreditation from the American Culinary Federation. The curriculum typically includes instruction in sanitation, menu planning and inventory control plus practical hands-on classes and out-placement or internship experience.
Certification
Chefs can improve their qualifications and opportunities for advancement by achieving American Culinary Federation certification. The ACF has 14 different certifications, including the entry-level Certified Culinarian and the high-level Certified Master Chef. Other designations certify specialists as personal chefs, pastry chefs and culinary administrators. The certification requirements include education and experience, depending on the particular certificate. The necessary experience varies from six months to five years.
Mohammed’s Answer
1.FIND A JOB WORKING IN A RESTAURANT KITCHEN
2.GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED
3.GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL
4.OBTAIN PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE
5.CERTIFICATION
Sheila’s Answer
Anyone who enjoys cooking has probably thought about what it might be like to work as a high-end chef. But in reality, the road to becoming a chef takes time to travel. It requires countless hours of hard work, especially in the early years.
The median pay for a chef or head cook is $53,380 per year or $25.66/hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, a chef needs proper training, which can come at a steep cost if you go the formal education route.
Still, there are no strict educational or training requirements to become a chef. Most gain the knowledge and skills during those long hours in the kitchen. However, those who want to reach head chef might take the culinary degree and apprenticeship route.
HOW TO BECOME A CHEF
• Work in a restaurant kitchen
• Obtain a high school diploma or GED
• Attend Culinary school ( or, Community College, Vocational Trade School)
• Obtain practical work experience
• Get your first chef job
Good luck to you!
Sheila recommends the following next steps: