Chef Training
Top Chef Training
Many chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers start as fast-food or short-order cooks, or in other lower-skilled kitchen positions. These types of jobs require little education or chef training and most of their skills are learned on the job. After acquiring some basic food handling, preparation, and cooking skills, however, these workers may be able to advance to assistant cook position.
Although a high school diploma is not required for beginning jobs in this field, it is highly recommended for those planning a career as a chef. High school or vocational school courses in business arithmetic and business administration are particularly helpful starting points when it comes to chef training.
Many school districts, in cooperation with state departments of education, provide on-the-job chef training and summer workshops for cafeteria kitchen workers that have aspirations of becoming cooks and, eventually, chefs. Large corporations in the food service and hotel industries also offer paid chef training in internships and summer jobs, which can provide incredible experience.
To reach the level of skill required of an executive chef in a fine restaurant, many years of chef training and experience are necessary. An increasing number of chefs obtain their chef training through high school, post-high school vocational programs, or 2- or 4-year colleges.
You may also undergo chef training in apprenticeship programs offered by professional culinary institutes, industry associations, and trade unions. One example is the 3-year apprenticeship program administered by local chapters of the American Culinary Federation in cooperation with local employees and junior colleges, or vocational education institutions. Also, some large hotels and restaurants operate their own programs for chef training.
Although some vocational programs in high schools offer chef training, employers usually prefer training given by trade schools, vocational centers, colleges, professional associations, or trade unions. Post secondary courses range from a few months to two years or more and are open, in some cases, only to high school graduates. About 8 to 15 years as a cook can be required to become a fully qualified chef. Advancement opportunities for chefs can be better than for most other food and beverage preparation and service occupations.
Although curriculum may vary, students in chef training school usually take programs in food preparation and learn skills through actual practice. Skills such as baking, broiling, caring for kitchen equipment are also included. By gaining years of experience though chef training to become a chef, one can continue with more intensive study and practical work in menu planning, portion size, cost control, and hotel and restaurant management. These will enhance one’s learning to eventually reach the master chef level.
