Being a chef is a popular career but finding a job can be challenging. There are self-taught chefs who learnt and practiced cooking at home and professional chefs. The latter takes time to learn and perfect their skills in preparation for the culinary world. Both types of chefs can secure good chef jobs; however, professional chefs are in a better position to earn more and climb the chef ladder with time. It will take you many years of practice, but it’s possible. Below are the steps for getting chef job.
A guide on how to find a chef job
Many sites or platforms advertise chef jobs like job boards, on-demand services, and recruitment agencies. You knowing where to get a job as a chef isn’t enough. There is a process to follow to get the job.
Volunteer in a restaurant
You can start by volunteering at a restaurant to gain the necessary skills. Working alongside actual chefs exposes you to the real culinary world. Home cooking is quite different from preparing and cooking foods in a restaurant. The fast pace, creativity, and precision needed let you decide whether you still want to be a chef. Also, chefs spend most of their time standing, and if you can’t stand just as much, you may want to rethink your decision.
Finish your GED
GED or high school diploma is vital for joining any culinary institution. Finish the diploma or enroll for one to progress to the next step of becoming a chef. This doesn’t mean that you can’t leave high school, enter a university, then move to culinary school. A degree is essential, but the GED is the basic requirement.
Join a culinary institution
There are several culinary schools to choose from after leaving high school. These schools help you master the industry and gain various skills required by employers. They produce professional chefs with different diploma or degree programs that can run anywhere between one and four years. Some vocational training centers and community colleges offer hospitality and culinary classes. Don’t be limited to culinary schools only since you can gain similar knowledge and skills in other institutes at a lower rate.
Acquire necessary experience
Getting experience is important after completing your studies. Being in the actual field gives you a more significant and intense experience than you were exposed to in school. You will work in the kitchen, but it’s unlikely that you will start as a chef. You can help in food prepping, cleaning the kitchen, supervising the food store, etc., to learn the ins and outs of the chef job. You will work under the guidance of a head chef or any superior chef.
Get the job
At this point, you are ready to get work as a chef. It’s the final step after gaining the necessary experience and understanding of the job. Your previous company may refer you to another organization based on your performance or guide you on where to apply for a chef position. Also, search for job sites and look up chef jobs to apply.
To sum up,
The guide above explains how to secure a chef job. Proper qualifications put you a level above others, and the pay is more attractive. Formal education is not a must to become a chef; however, it has a significant role in your life. Culinary schools teach you skills and cooking methods needed in the job market. With these culinary techniques and relevant experience, employers can locate you, invite you for an interview and maybe get to work as a chef in their company. Once you land the job, you will start as a junior chef but can always work your way up with time.