What do I need to go to college to be a chef? And what is the difficulty of such? Because I am from Brazil and I want to follow this profession, I will probably do it in Brazil but I would like to know how it works here.

Hi Calyston,

It´s a pleasure to talk with someone from Brazil!!! I´m brasilian also and I will give you some tips:

• FIND A JOB WORKING IN A RESTAURANT KITCHEN

Knowing how the kitchen and restaurant works is vitally important to becoming a chef. But be warned, this first job might include the most mundane things, including washing dishes and taking out the trash. However, the exposure to professionals in the kitchen is what matters, and over time a fresh new chef will work their way up the ladder to the more appealing tasks. This time toiling in the trenches of kitchen duty will help answer the big question: Is this what you really want to do?

• GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL

Culinary schools take one to four years, depending on the program. The most common result is the diploma, associate or bachelor’s degree – master’s culinary degrees are scarce in the United States. While formal education isn’t required to become a chef, the specialized knowledge and skills learned during the program can serve aspiring chefs in good stead when honing their kitchen work. Often those who have earned their culinary degree can quickly earn positions with greater responsibilities – always a plus for any chef.

• OBTAIN PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE

The formal culinary program is just the beginning. Working as a chef requires a great deal of experience, which is why fresh graduates probably won’t immediately begin working as a chef. Additional training under the tutelage of a professional chef, whether it’s through an internship or apprenticeship or simply through day-to-day work, will heighten the skills and knowledge every chef needs. As an added bonus, work experience is a great networking opportunity.

• CERTIFICATION

Certification isn’t required to become a chef, but it may make it easier, especially when applying for highly competitive chef positions. Certifications may help market a chef’s cooking ability, as well as potentially lead to more opportunities for advancement. The American Culinary Federation (ACF), founded in 1929, is the largest professional chefs and cooks association in the United States, with over 17,000 members in 200 chapters nationwide. There are 14 certification designations available in five areas: Cooking Professionals; Personal Cooking Professionals; Baking and Pastry Professionals; Culinary Administrators; and Culinary Educators. Each designation is based on a candidate’s educational and work experience.

Source:

http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/chef/

http://www.acfchefs.org/
(American Culinary Federation)

I hope these tips can help you!

Hi, Daniela. There are a lot of colleges that offer culinary course, I think you should search about them to choose the best one for you considering the reviews and what you expect. About follow this career, I know about people that studied to be a chef in Brazil and they become owner of the business and prepare delicious food! I believe while you studies you need focus on what you like to do (salty food, candies, gourmet...) and specialize on that and try do this unique. If this sounds good for you, find this kind of people and talk with them to know about the challenges, difficulties and how they achieve this goal. Good luck! :)