Compare Popular Online Chef Programs
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Step 1: Education Requirements
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Step 2: Internship or Apprentice
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Step 3: Licensing & Certifications
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Step 4: Continuing Education and License Maintenance
Step 1: Education Requirements
Generally speaking, an education is required for most chef positions in the United States. You can start with a high school diploma. The first step to becoming a successful chef is to obtain a high school diploma or GED. There are several advantages to acquiring a high school diploma. The main reason is that a high school diploma is the minimum previous education required to be admitted into culinary school.
Find Your Online Chef Program
As for your choice of culinary program, you want to be sure you choose the right culinary school. Future chefs should seek to obtain a degree or diploma from a top-notch culinary institution. Just make sure that the culinary school is accredited. There are several associate and bachelor’s culinary arts degree programs available in the United States, though master’s culinary arts degree program aren’t particularly common. Depending on the program, future chefs should expect to spend one to four years completing a degree in culinary arts.
A culinary associate degree is the most common route leading to a career as a chef. This type of culinary degree can typically be found at community colleges and culinary schools. Students who pursue a culinary associate degree program will become extremely knowledgeable in foods, food procurement, and food safety. Students will learn important skills such as the proper handling of food, management techniques, basic knife skills, food purchasing methods, and preparation of a wide variety of dishes. An associate in culinary arts degree takes about two years to complete.
A culinary bachelor’s degree is perfect for those who would like to obtain a prominent chef position with many responsibilities. During a bachelor’s in culinary arts degree program, students will learn the ins and outs of creating a wide variety of cuisines, operating a restaurant, and proper table service. Additionally, the program will teach students excellent marketing skills, customer service techniques, and international cooking methods. Students typically complete this program in four years.
Step 2: Internship or Apprentice
When it comes to becoming an exceptional chef, a formal culinary education is definitely a good start. However, after obtaining a culinary degree, it’s a good idea to acquire relevant work experience through an internship or apprentice. An internship or apprentice will definitely give chefs incredible hands-on experience as they will be learning from seasoned culinary professionals.
During this hands-on experience, future chefs will learn the right way to use cooking utensils, how to cook various recipes, and much more. An internship or apprentice will also help future chefs quickly identify their strengths and weaknesses, providing them with feedback that can help them improve their skills quickly. An internship or apprentice also offers future chefs the opportunity to network with many culinary professionals.
Step 3: Licensing & Certifications
Licensing
Future chefs who would like to operate a food service establishment with a commercial kitchen should definitely obtain a restaurant license. Here are the most common restaurant licenses and permits that are needed to operate a food services establishment.
- Restaurant Business License:
Chefs need to obtain a restaurant business license to legally operate a food service establishment. The cost of obtaining this common license will usually cost less than $7,000. - Restaurant Food Service License:
Chefs who plan on serving food at their food service establishment will need a restaurant food service license. A food vendor license is necessary for chefs who want to serve food from a food truck. - Restaurant Liquor License:
In most cases, chefs want to serve food and liquor at their food service establishment. In order to serve liquor, chefs will need a restaurant liquor license. Without a restaurant liquor license, a food service establishment may incur penalties and fines if it attempts to sell alcohol. - Food Handler’s Permit:
Chefs should ensure that every team member has a Food Handler’s Permit, which is also known as an Employee Health Permit. A Food Handler’s Permit ensures that employees understand how to properly handle food. This important permit shouldn’t cost more than $600.
Certifications
While certification isn’t really required to become a chef, it will definitely help qualify future chefs for high paying positions. Generally speaking, a culinary certificate may provide hands-on learning and training in the following areas: baking, food science, and culinary skills.
One of the most popular certifications is the ACF Certification from The American Culinary Federation. The ACF Certification program features several certification designations for many different chef levels. Depending on the certification level, future chefs will be able to become ACF certified within a few months or years. The United States Professional Chef Association also boasts an exceptional certification program known as a Certified Personal Chef. A Certified Personal Chef is offered to chefs who would like to receive industry recognition.
Other certifications are available for chefs who wish to work in a variety of settings. It’s up to each individual to decide which certifications are right for them and which will best help them achieve their career goals.
Step 4: Continuing Education and License Maintenance
As a prominent chef, continuing education and license maintenance is extremely important for career advancement. For those who chose to become a chef by moving up the ranks, keep in mind that continuing education is always a great option. In fact, pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s culinary arts program while working as a line cook, food preparation worker, or even a dishwasher will make climbing the ranks much easier.
Current chefs with an associate degree might increase their education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree. A culinary bachelor’s degree will be a great way for chefs to obtain a position that prepares many different types of cuisines from around the world. For instance, a culinary bachelor’s degree may teach students about French cuisine, preparing them for a chef position that uses several excellent French cooking techniques.
In addition, a culinary bachelor’s degree may offer students several chef career concentrations including pastry chef, chef de cuisine, executive/head chef, saucier, personal chef, chocolatier, and many more. A culinary bachelor’s degree may also provide culinary professionals the necessary skills to be a top-notch fine dining chef. A fine dining chef specializes in preparing delicious dishes with only the finest ingredients.
Current chefs can also engage in continuing education by joining professional organizations, reading industry magazines, visiting well-known restaurants, and attending conferences. In addition, chefs can also participate in continuing education the traditional way by getting family and friends’ opinions on their homemade dishes. Make sure to stay abreast of industry trends as well.
Licensing Maintenance
For chefs who own and operate a food establishment, they will need to maintain a restaurant license. There are several different types of restaurant licenses including Restaurant Business License, Restaurant Food Service License, Restaurant Liquor License, and Food Handler’s Permit. Your state or license provider will likely provide information that will help you know what you must do to maintain this license over years. You may need to pay a fee, continue taking courses, or something else. However, it’s important that you make the effort to maintain any license you use for your career.