How To Become A Chef

by Willette Francis

Preparing delicious food is a natural gift for some and others have to work extremely hard to be good at it. No matter what category you fall into, a career in culinary arts is within your grasp with the right education. Cultivate your talent into an art form.

How do I become a chef?
Fast food cooks, short order cooks, and food preparation workers gain most of their skills through on-the-job training, but chefs and others with advanced skills attend culinary arts school. Secondary school students can receive training through vocational training programs but postsecondary studies are necessary for advanced career opportunities in the culinary field.
Entry-level positions don't require a high school diploma but people who want a career as a chef should obtain a high school diploma. When you begin a career in food, you will learn first about workplace safety, sanitation, food handling and preparation, and cooking instruction. This instruction is important and mandatory for all food workers. Those who show drive, proficiency, and passion for the work can go on to learn advanced techniques or take on more advanced roles.

When employers hire for more experienced positions including chef, they seek applicants who have attended a vocational or trade school with culinary arts training programs. Programs that are two- to four-year degree or certificate programs train students for fine dining or upscale restaurants.
What will I learn in culinary arts school?
Vocational or trade school programs in the culinary arts will provide basic training in sanitation methods, nutrition, slicing and dicing methods for meats and vegetables, and basic cooking techniques including baking, grilling, and broiling. Extensive certificate or two- and four-year degree programs would include specialty training in advanced cooking techniques, preparing food for parties and banquets, and cooking methods and cuisine from other parts of the world. This training is available through degree programs in hospitality and culinary arts. Chefs can also participate in independent cooking schools or culinary institutes.

A culinary arts curriculum could include courses such as culinary fundamentals, sauces and soups, core cooking methods, grains and vegetables, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, advanced culinary applications, cuisine of France, cuisine of Italy, cuisines of Asia, pastry essentials, contemporary desserts, modern masters, market basket cooking, and hors d'oeuvres.
Although courses may differ between programs, you will spend most of your time in the kitchen learning to create meals, proper knife skills, the care and use of kitchen equipment, how to plan a menu, portion control, purchasing and inventory, food storage, how to use leftover food to reduce waste, sanitation, and public health rules for handling food. These training programs also require students to complete an internship, apprenticeship, or externship program in a commercial kitchen. This on-the-job training places chefs with mentors and gives them work experience. These formal training programs are accredited by The American Culinary Federation who also sponsors apprenticeship programs nationwide.