Guide to Becoming a Chef

Boundless opportunities await those who choose to make their careers in the creative, dynamic, and exciting culinary industry.

Becoming a chef: First step - check our culinary school directory for prestigious chef schools that prepare individuals for entry-level chef positions with restaurants, hotels, catering firms, and resorts. Plan on spending at least 15 months in pursuit of a certificate, diploma or associate degree.

Students usually spend most of their time learning to prepare food through actual practice. The best culinary schools offer hands-on training with professional chef instructors and exposure to commercial kitchens. Prospective chefs learn to bake, broil, and otherwise prepare food, and to use and care for kitchen equipment.

Training programs include courses in:

Menu planning
Determination of portion size
Food cost control
Purchasing food supplies in quantity
Selection and storage of food
Use of leftover food to minimize waste
Hotel and restaurant sanitation
Public health rules for handling food
Kitchen supervisory skills
Restaurant management

Becoming a pastry chef: Baking and Pastry Arts Programs are available at some institutions - check culinary school directory for details. Students in pastry chef training classes focus on baking, decorating and plating cakes, pastries, frozen desserts, and confectionery showpieces.

Externships: Most student chefs complete the program with a three-month off-site externship in a working restaurant.

Check our culinary school directory and start becoming a chef today!