How To Become A Chef

Most individuals assume that being a professional chef is as easy it sounds. Unfortunately, it is not the case as one must have an in-depth knowledge of different cuisines around the world. 

A significant difference between a chef and a cook is that a chef is trained to master culinary skills and provide innovation in creating a menu and food presentation. On the other hand, a cook is trained in learning culinary preparation but takes instructions from the chef. 

Becoming a professional chef is more of a passion as it requires an individual to love creating dishes from all over the world and have a creative mind. Let us brush over some of the steps you need to take to become a certified chef and some careers that may sprout from becoming a professional chef.

Find a job in a restaurant

Finding a job in a working restaurant is crucial in determining if you truly want to become a professional chef. Working in the actual kitchen will expand your thinking and make you confident that is the career path you wish to choose. Getting your first job at the restaurant may mean that you are given subordinates’ jobs in the kitchen. It can include washing dishes among other chores. In addition, working in the kitchen will expose you to other professionals in the kitchen that have the chefs you may learn from.

Enroll in culinary school

After acquiring a high school certification, one must go to a culinary school. Here one is taught several things that pertain to food preparation. Different schools offer different certifications ranging from certificate levels to master’s levels. Having a certification will give you an upper hand in working in the hospitality industry as a professional chef.

The higher the certification, the better it is for any chef to earn greater responsibilities in the kitchen. Therefore, despite the high costs in culinary school, it is the best learning institution to ensure an individual becomes a professional chef because of its training.

Obtain working experience

Working experience is a vital step in becoming a professional chef. The work experience will give the chef first-hand experience in the kitchen. Most of the time, fresh graduates from a culinary school will not land high-end jobs. With this in mind, one must seek a position of internship at various restaurants where different professional chefs can mentor them. Being under this kind of program will heighten the skills and knowledge of the newbie.

Additionally, it offers networking where one can learn of different available options in the market. While under training, the chef can learn of the other cuts of meat that include U.S.D.A. Prime Beef.

Obtaining certification

Most of the time, a certification is a requirement for a professional chef. Obtaining certification is an added advantage when applying for highly competitive jobs. There are various certifications available from different bodies that make a chef stand out from the rest. The credentials may market a chef and subsequently lead to the growth of the career.

There are different designations that a professional chef can have. Some of the titles include the Executive Chef. It is the person who handles all logistics in the kitchen ranging from food preparation, managing of personnel, budgeting for the food, among all activities conducted in the kitchen. 

The Pastry Chef is another title whose primary duty is creating items that are listed as desserts. The items include pastries, chocolates, and bread. 

The next title is the Sous Chef, assistant to the Executive Chef charged with preparing menus and managing kitchen workers and cooks. 

Private chefs

Gone are the days where chefs’ central duty station was the traditional kitchen. With the advancement in the industry, chefs can now become businessmen. The chefs can end up as private chefs to famous individuals in various homes.

Celebrity chefs

With the onset of different reality shows. More chefs are warming up to the idea of using different cooking shows and competitions. Through this platform, the various chefs can make a living and at the same time creates a name for themselves. Many chefs have found fame through hosting different shows.

The above are some of the steps that lead to becoming a professional chef. The skills get better with more practice in the kitchen. Unlike in the past, the profession has quickly revolutionized, leading to new opportunities.