How to Become a Chef

A chef prepares the food using a variety of different cooking techniques.

The job of a chef is one that can’t be taken lightly. It involves a lot of learning and patience. A chef prepares the food using a variety of different cooking techniques. They may work alone in a small cafe or restaurant or there is the option of working in a busy environment such as a hotel or large kitchen. The head chef also known as the executive chef. They are the one who is in control of the entire kitchen and makes sure everything is running correctly.

Your day-to-day tasks will include:

• Planning menus
• Dealing with suppliers
• Managing the budget
• Organizing staff
• Cooking a variety of food

What do I need to start with:

It is always good to start with a passion for cooking, as it will be something you will be doing and thinking about all day and every day. There are also certain things like imagination, as you will need to come up with new recipes and menu ideas to keep customers happy.

What will I study:

Culinary Arts programs train you in a range of things. You will learn to cook, what to cook and work with the ingredients that you have. You will also learn how to manage the kitchen and delegate jobs to staff. You won’t be able to do all the cooking yourself, especially if you are working in a large kitchen.

You can study Culinary Arts at schools like:

• The Art Institute – Vancouver
• Liaison College
• Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute
• Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
• Stratford Career Institute – Online Learning

What else do I need:

You will also be working in a busy environment so you need to be aware of health and safety regulations, along with how to work well in a team.

Where are the jobs:

Chefs don’t just work in restaurants, although this is the main place that they do work. They also work in hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. So when looking for jobs, don’t just limit yourself to something in a restaurant. You can also teach cooking courses and seminars as well.