What do Chefs do?
A chef plans menus and prepares and cooks food using various techniques. They ensure quality, manage kitchens, make sure health and safety regulations are met, and may have a creative role, experimenting with new ingredients, flavours, and presentation. Collaboration with other kitchen staff, customer interaction, and staying updated on culinary trends are also part of their responsibilities.
There are many different types of chef jobs, depending upon the food, kitchen, and establishment type, and the duties will vary with each one. Different types of chef jobs include, commis chef, grill chef, pastry chef, chef de cuisine, and sous chef.
What can I expect to earn?
The starting salary for a chef is around £18,000 to £21,000 per year. This could increase to an average of between £30,000 and £40,000 with experience. An executive chef running more than one kitchen could earn over £60,000 per annum.
What subjects should I study?
There are no set academic requirements to become a chef, but useful subjects to study include food preparation and nutrition, English, and mathematics.
How can I start my career?
There are several ways that you could start your career as a chef. You could work as a trainee chef or kitchen assistant, gaining experience and learning on the job, and then complete relevant training and qualifications to help you progress. Another way to become a chef is to complete an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, such as the commis chef or chef de partie apprenticeship. You could also become a chef by completing a relevant college course, such as a Level 3 or 4 course in cookery or culinary arts, or a T level in catering, and then apply for work. It is also possible to study a foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), or degree in a relevant subject such as professional cookery.
To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a chef, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.
Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.
Useful Links
National Careers Service - Chef
Want to know what it's like to work as a chef? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job? to find out more.
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