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What credentials would I need to become a chef?
I'm studying to become a chef at job corps and would like to get the most advice i can in culinary arts
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Richard’s Answer
Job corp is an excellent start. Here you will learn the fundamentals of cooking. The foundation of your career. All chefs started as dishwashers and cooks. You will spend years working as a cook. During your time as a cook, join the local chapter of the ACF and work toward accreditation. There are many levels of certification through the American Culinary Foundation. these titles (csc, cwc, cec, CMC) help prospective employers understand your level of culinary knowledge. Being certified is good but not required. What you need to be Chef is experience and true understanding of the Business of running a kitchen.
Join the ACF... Often students can join for free
Find a chef mentor and stick with them
Richard recommends the following next steps:
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Kathy’s Answer
Jatwan, nice to meet you.
The best way to start in the food industry is to get hired or volunteer at any local restaurant that you know of in the same area that you would like to work in.
You can let them know that your goal is to be a chef and would they be willing to teach you the ropes, so to say.
They will start you off usually as a dishwasher, after a bit, you can help with prepping the ingredients, then you can help with working the line - where they prep the plates for the chef or serve. From there you can become a sous chef.
It's all about the experience. Once you know how they work, they will allow you to grow if they see your passion.
Remind you that some places makes it hard for beginners, to the point that some will quit. It will show how passionate you really are about becoming a chef.
The best way to start in the food industry is to get hired or volunteer at any local restaurant that you know of in the same area that you would like to work in.
You can let them know that your goal is to be a chef and would they be willing to teach you the ropes, so to say.
They will start you off usually as a dishwasher, after a bit, you can help with prepping the ingredients, then you can help with working the line - where they prep the plates for the chef or serve. From there you can become a sous chef.
It's all about the experience. Once you know how they work, they will allow you to grow if they see your passion.
Remind you that some places makes it hard for beginners, to the point that some will quit. It will show how passionate you really are about becoming a chef.
Updated
Ross’s Answer
Technically, nothing at all. Chef just means "Chief" the person who runs the kitchen and if they have a staff that can cook well the chef doesn't even need to know how to cook, they just keep the kitchen running. Most kitchen require the chef to have a food safety certificate (servsafe) and/or a food handlers card from your state.
Getting a job in a restaurant or commercial kitchen is the best start, learn the proverbial ropes and try to learn the most about inventory, costing out food, ordering and budgeting, scheduling, aka the boring stuff, any bozo can put out good tasting food but a chef must be able to keep the food and money flowing, that is more valuable than cooking. I got a dozen great cooks in my kitchen but none of them can manage the staff or food well so none of them could be a chef.
Getting a job in a restaurant or commercial kitchen is the best start, learn the proverbial ropes and try to learn the most about inventory, costing out food, ordering and budgeting, scheduling, aka the boring stuff, any bozo can put out good tasting food but a chef must be able to keep the food and money flowing, that is more valuable than cooking. I got a dozen great cooks in my kitchen but none of them can manage the staff or food well so none of them could be a chef.