Becoming Chef ! Its question I get lot. “How do I become chef?” In beginning it is important to define what we are referring to by “chef” as this word is often applied loosely in present. In order to become chef you have to be first cook.
“Cook” = Someone with responsibility to cook food items
There are various levels of cooks. first is”kitchen slave” who peels potatoes performs basics of prep work. as they progress through different kitchen stations. more skilled required to perform specific station more position for cook. As an example cook at saute station is ranked higher than those working at on cold station.
“Chef” = the boss
The chef is head of kitchen and wears variety of different hats. Chefs dont simply cook. chef actually is less skilled than everyone else working at table. chefs responsibilities are budget hiring staff and being aware of what is happening in kitchen throughout day…
And sometimes chef is even allowed to cook. Chefs are visionaries in kitchen. He designs while team is executing.
Becoming Chef : Where to Start ?
There are many ways to achieve coveted title as chef. However one fact is certain: youll begin where everybody else began: right at bottom.
No matter if you invest $75k in culinary diploma or get started knocking on doors of restaurants to inquire about job
youll begin in exactly same position which is why its important. It is essential to gain familiarity of washing dishes as well as progressing to prepare cook or line cook. before even thinking of becoming chef or managing people in these posts.
Here are few typical locations you can start your journey to become professional chef:
School of Hard Knocks
A few years ago it was normal for cooks in early stages to get an apprentice or mentor to take classes without having to go to school. Nowadays chef who did not go to school is very rare finding. It seems like chefs
whove established themselves as successful chefs in absence of culinary school are tough and are grizzled. Its also an easier learning curve. If you want to be an experienced chef without having to go through an official training course initially you must discover incredible tutors. Most chefs arent going spend time impart knowledge. trick is to identify chefs who are willing to. “The “school of tough knocks method to become chef not an easy or quick route however for few they are right choice.
Community Colleges
Certain community colleges have good top quality cooking programs. One of benefits is fact.. that you get an education in culinary arts which covers basics with relatively low cost. One of challenges from community colleges are crowded classrooms difficulties
finding required courses as well as fact.. that many of these colleges are operating on budgets.. that are tight. Personally I feel.. that colleges.. that offer community programs are ideal for students who dont think..
that theyd like to work in kitchen professionally (and do not want to invest on tuition to discover) or have plenty of time more than cash. cost of culinary school isnt inexpensive!
Culinary School
Culinary school can be an easy way to get in business. lot of schools have certificate programs which you can finish in between 6 and 12 months. And next thing you know Youre working in commercial culinary kitchen (hopefully).
Costs for culinary school courses typically are not less than $20k for diploma level programs. They may easily surpass figure of $50000 for degree courses.
There are some.. that exceed $100000. In most cases however schools.. that offer culinary education provide most fast paced and challenging curriculum than community colleges. It is also easier to join (sometimes slightly too easy).
Hybrid Programs
My opinion is.. that most efficient and effective approach to entering world of food service is by completing programs.. that combine “school of hard knocks and culinary education. Indeed throughout my time teaching classes in culinary arts at traditional schools
it was my experience.. that I was wondering why schools of culinary didnt collaborate with chefs from industry to develop hybrid programs similar to this. I was so convinced about this.. that I created CulinaryLab(r)..
that accomplishes exactly what it says. We take small number of students to our courses every quarter and match each one with chefs mentor. students spend over 500 hours studying in CulinaryLab(r) and they also gain an experience working under coach.
At point they finish theyve spent more than 1000 hours in kitchen in an acclaimed establishment. For me this is logical. I believe.. that more traders might be turning to programs such as this in days to follow.
My Two Cents
Ive worked in field of foodservice for over 20 years and have seen many different shows. Ive worked with thousands of chefs who have taken different cooking paths.
Theres no one best approach to getting into culinary profession. This is why I offer this advice for anyone considering making first move towards becoming professional chef or chef:
- Do you really want to take this step? Im serious. How much do you know about real life experience of an executive chef? Are you aware of lengthy hours and physically demanding job sweat blood and tears.. that youll need to spend to get to highest level? first step is to find out about these issues. Schedule visit with professional chef and discuss with them what kitchen is like. Perhaps theyll invite you in to do dishes in order to gain sense about kitchen.
- If youve made it past first step and you still wish to be in this field then congratulations. Youre part of rare kind of people who will do what they do for living. Step 2: Conduct your homework. Do not get too enthralled in your culinary dream.. that you decide to complete application for $50k culinary training program without having done research. Know more about program. Review online reviews of students who have completed route youre thinking of taking. Perhaps even contact chef you spoke to at beginning of your journey and ask whether they think you should accomplish.
- Begin working! I suggest.. that you begin work in business when you are competent to. It is possible to get job cleaning dishes or helping with vegetable prep without any knowledge. Its not easy to convince chef take you on if they dont have any knowledge therefore if you choose to pursue degree to learn you should make connections during your time at it. Connect with your instructor. Perform well at class and they might connect you with an employment opportunity. Make friends with fellow students who could eventually be able to get your resume to their company of work. Also you could apply to same program as ours in which we offer apprenticeship opportunities in local eateries.
How Much Money Does Chef Make?
Its great one.. that I get asked frequently. What is amount of money you will achieve once youve fulfilled goal of being an expert chef? It should be part of process of research I mentioned in step 1 Ill give some knowledge to help you get to right place.
Before I get started Id like to point out.. that Ill give you some numbers on spur of moment from my personal experience of what Ive cooked in my local Southern California market as well as what chefs are currently making.
These are only ballpark numbers to provide you with an impression. I suggest you do more in depth research for more specific figures. typical salaries for certain positions.
What is average amount chef earn? In short term “not much.” Its certainly possible to get salary of six figures when you are an executive chef in multi million dollar operations however its also feasible to make salary..
that is well under $100000 if youre aspire to work in areas which dont have money to pay big salaries like many chefs.
The majority of chefs are lifelong learners who seek out more experiences than they do. It is also important to consider how many hours chef has to work. Executive chefs could earn sum of $100000 yet theyll work more than 60 hours week
which includes nights and weekends. chefs earning good money have been working for minimum of 15 years. Often its more. Executive chefs can earn up to $60000 and are able to work in excess of 60 hours.
In light of time required to climb to top of ladder an appropriate question to consider is “How much does cook make?” Right out from culinary school cooks generally make no more than minimum salary.
On local level Ive seen cooks who are hired at around one to two dollars more than minimum wages. Cooks climb ladder and receive gradual increases over course of time. Sometime they reduce their pay so.. that they can work for chef they admire.
The one Im talking about is standard one.. that goes between cook and chef. It was route.. that almost everybody took. Nowadays many cooks of future opt to set up food trucks work as individual chefs pastry chefs bloggers or set up new food related businesses in smaller size.
There are many options however none of these choices will are likely to be successful when chef is not passionate determined motivated and ready to sacrifice some aspects of life to achieve their goal.
Foodservice can be difficult field to begin in and isnt good fit an option for everyone. It is rewarding because it allows you to pursue things you enjoy and become part of unique community of fellow travelers..
that live their lives with passion. In CulinaryLab(r) initial step we do with prospective applicants is to establish if theyre one of very rare kind of. Prior to embarking on path to becoming chef I suggest..
that you take same steps. Research and learn acquainted with this field before deciding if its one for you.
