HOW TO BECOME CHEF?
Chef :
A chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine. The word "chef" is derived from the term chef de cuisine the director or head of a kitchen. Chefs can receive formal training from an institution, as well as by apprenticing with an experienced chef.
A Step-By-Step guide to becoming a chef in India:
Get a Diploma Post Higher Secondary (10+2)
- To get into a good culinary school, one either needs to have a diploma in culinary or exposure to culinary.
- Even to get exposure, employers ask for a basic diploma in culinary.
- It's like without a diploma, there is no exposure, and without exposure, no admission in a good culinary program.
- That's why a basic diploma after 12th std should be the first step towards the journey to becoming a chef.
Get a degree (BA in Culinary Arts) in culinary arts for three to four years
- Post a bachelor's degree; one can continue with a master's (MA) in culinary arts.
- Though formal education is not mandatory to become a chef, one acquires the knowledge and skill for the chosen specialisation.
- This also helps them get a good position and greater responsibility.
- In short, this can give a great start to an aspiring chef.
Types of Chefs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours does a chef need to work?
Normally, they follow shift timings. On average, a chef has to work a minimum of 40 to 50 hours a week. Festivals and holidays are very special and important days for business.
What are the culinary courses available in India?
Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts, Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, B.Sc. in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Diploma in Culinary Arts, etc. After 10+2 higher secondary. Some diploma courses are also available after 10th standard like Diploma in-
- Food Production
- Diploma in Catering Technology
- Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery, etc.
Is it mandatory to have a Bachelor in Culinary Arts to be a good chef?
It is not mandatory to have a formal education to become a good chef. Rachael Ray, Ree Drummond, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Tom Colicchio are some of the famous chefs who enjoy celebrity status without any formal education in the culinary field. Having a formal education will make achieving a career in the culinary world easier and faster.
What are the challenges for a chef in the initial days?
There is a lot of physical work, so it's not easy. One needs to have good stamina. Time management and complete deliveries are also challenges for a commis chef in the initial days.