To become a chef, you can take a variety of routes. Some people begin by developing a passion for cooking, which they primarily pursue at home, while others undergo extensive training in restaurants under the supervision of other chefs. Another option is to enroll in a culinary school, which is usually one that is recognized by the culinary profession in your country. These can be used to teach people everything from the fundamentals of cooking to how to run a restaurant.
If you want to be a chef, you should practice cooking whenever you can, regardless of which path you take. If you developed this interest before graduating from high school, take advantage of opportunities to cook at home and watch some of the great cooking shows on networks like The Food Channel for inspiration. Cookbooks by well-known chefs, as well as books on cooking technique, are recommended.
Some high schools, if you’re lucky, have culinary arts departments where you can learn more about how to become a chef. If this isn’t possible, look for cooking classes in your area or look for work in a restaurant. If you work hard and express an interest in becoming a chef, your coworkers are likely to offer you advice and opportunities to practice some of the skills you’ll need. Working in a restaurant after high school can also be beneficial, especially if you need to save money for culinary school.
Culinary programs are available at some colleges, but the majority of culinary schools are private and expensive. You don’t usually exit a program and assume control of a restaurant. Before you can run a full kitchen on your own, you’ll need to work as a line cook, sous chef, or one of many chefs in a restaurant. This work will be useful when you are the executive chef of a restaurant because it will help you understand the viewpoints of the people you will be employing.
Some chefs run their own restaurants, while others manage the restaurant’s back end or other aspects of food production. If you want to open your own restaurant as a chef, learning about the business, particularly restaurant management, can be extremely beneficial. If your culinary school doesn’t offer such classes, most junior colleges do, and it’s a great way to get started on your career as a chef. Learning how to run a business and all aspects of running a restaurant can help you succeed in a highly competitive field.
Continuing education is also beneficial once you have become a chef. Food trends change, and many excellent chefs devote time to learning about a particular cuisine or new food trends that they are interested in. Even so, in most restaurants, having basic cooking skills is a must if you want to work as a chef. Start with the fundamentals and work your way up to specializing in specific types of food you enjoy preparing.