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What are the steps to become a chef?
I am a people people #chef #fashion #cooking #career #travel
I love to cook
I like to help out people
I love to read
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Samantha’s Answer
It depends on where u want to start by going to school or starting in the industry. But first u need to work on your knife skills. Then start working on stocks mother sauces and soups. Then learn how to break down meat. Practice presentation of your plates. Learn how to guide a team . Learn how to do inventory and ordering. Learn how to run a line and watch the servers.
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Leroy’s Answer
Hi Kyle, not my field, but enjoy cooking and have taken a few culinary courses at a college in the evening for fun. There is the traditional accredited culinary programs you can sign up in college for. Taking culinary courses, either as a standalone or as part of a degree, teaches you the fundamentals, and can connect with Chefs/teachers, for additional questions, or opportunities to work at a kitchen to gain some experience.
To help others, while also gaining experience, you can volunteer at a soup kitchen.
To help others, while also gaining experience, you can volunteer at a soup kitchen.
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Kyle:
Most chefs and head cooks learn their skills through work experience. Others receive training at a community college, technical school, culinary arts school, or 4-year college. A small number learn through apprenticeship programs or in the Armed Forces. Although this is not my area of expertise I hope you find the information helpful to get started on your research.
EDUCATION
Although post-secondary education is not required for chefs and head cooks, many attend programs at community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts schools, and 4-year colleges. Candidates are typically required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to enter these programs.
Students in culinary programs spend most of their time in kitchens, practicing their cooking skills. Programs cover all aspects of kitchen work, including menu planning, food sanitation procedures, and purchasing and inventory methods. Most training programs also require students to gain experience in a commercial kitchen through an internship or apprenticeship program.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Most chefs and head cooks start by working in other positions, such as line cooks, learning cooking skills from the chefs they work for. Many spend years working in kitchens before gaining enough experience to be promoted to chef or head cook positions.
TRAINING
Some chefs and head cooks train on the job, where they learn the same skills as in a formal education program. Some train in mentorship programs, where they work under the direction of an experienced chef. Executive chefs, head cooks, and sous chefs who work in upscale restaurants often have many years of training and experience.
Chefs and head cooks also may learn through apprenticeship programs sponsored by professional culinary institutes, industry associations, or trade unions. Some of these apprenticeship programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeship programs generally last 2 years and combine instruction and on-the-job training. Apprentices typically receive about 2,000 hours of both instruction and paid on-the-job training per year. Courses typically cover food sanitation and safety, basic knife skills, and equipment operation. Apprentices spend the rest of their training learning practical skills in a commercial kitchen under a chef’s supervision.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Although not required, certification can show competence and lead to advancement and higher pay. The American Culinary Federation certifies personal chefs, in addition to various levels of chefs, such as certified sous chefs or certified executive chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on work-related experience and formal training. Minimum work experience for certification can range from about 6 months to 5 years, depending on the level of certification.
BTW, cooking shows such as Chopped, Guy's Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, The Pioneer Woman, etc. are some of my favorite shows. I've picked up some awesome recipes and cooking tips along the way. I wish you the best of luck!
How to Become a Chef • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm#tab-4
Most chefs and head cooks learn their skills through work experience. Others receive training at a community college, technical school, culinary arts school, or 4-year college. A small number learn through apprenticeship programs or in the Armed Forces. Although this is not my area of expertise I hope you find the information helpful to get started on your research.
EDUCATION
Although post-secondary education is not required for chefs and head cooks, many attend programs at community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts schools, and 4-year colleges. Candidates are typically required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to enter these programs.
Students in culinary programs spend most of their time in kitchens, practicing their cooking skills. Programs cover all aspects of kitchen work, including menu planning, food sanitation procedures, and purchasing and inventory methods. Most training programs also require students to gain experience in a commercial kitchen through an internship or apprenticeship program.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Most chefs and head cooks start by working in other positions, such as line cooks, learning cooking skills from the chefs they work for. Many spend years working in kitchens before gaining enough experience to be promoted to chef or head cook positions.
TRAINING
Some chefs and head cooks train on the job, where they learn the same skills as in a formal education program. Some train in mentorship programs, where they work under the direction of an experienced chef. Executive chefs, head cooks, and sous chefs who work in upscale restaurants often have many years of training and experience.
Chefs and head cooks also may learn through apprenticeship programs sponsored by professional culinary institutes, industry associations, or trade unions. Some of these apprenticeship programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeship programs generally last 2 years and combine instruction and on-the-job training. Apprentices typically receive about 2,000 hours of both instruction and paid on-the-job training per year. Courses typically cover food sanitation and safety, basic knife skills, and equipment operation. Apprentices spend the rest of their training learning practical skills in a commercial kitchen under a chef’s supervision.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Although not required, certification can show competence and lead to advancement and higher pay. The American Culinary Federation certifies personal chefs, in addition to various levels of chefs, such as certified sous chefs or certified executive chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on work-related experience and formal training. Minimum work experience for certification can range from about 6 months to 5 years, depending on the level of certification.
BTW, cooking shows such as Chopped, Guy's Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, The Pioneer Woman, etc. are some of my favorite shows. I've picked up some awesome recipes and cooking tips along the way. I wish you the best of luck!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
For this, the usual way that I see people starting out their career in cooking is with culinary school. With those classes they will help hone your skills and teach you things that you will need to do on the job. Another way (though I cannot guaranteed that it will help you be a chef) is to get experience working in a restaurant or food establishment as a line cook or any position that involves handling the food. Through that experience you can learn the ins and outs and hopefully become a chef in the future.