What are the educational requirements to be a professional chef?

Question

what does a chef need to do before being a chef.. ?

pleas help!

Answer 1

A degree from a culinary school would help.

Answer 2

Culinary school is a relatively recent development, and isn't really required, at least in most places. The way things used to be, and to a great deal still is, is to work one's way up.

For example, one might start as a kitchen assistant, chopping onions and other prep work, eventually becoming a station or line cook. Then, in time, onto sous chef, and finally chef.

An important part of becoming a chef is the ability to adapt and thrive in the workplace. A kitchen is hot, cramped and stressful. It is fast paced, and filled with busy, frustrated people. If this sounds exciting and interesting, wonderful, you may have the aptitude.

Probably the most important part is creativity, skillful food preparation, the ability to make an interesting menu, presentation, etc. You MUST be passionate about food to succeed!

It is competitive, but like anything, if you are passionate, work hard, and spend the time to develop a mastery of the specific skills, your aptitude and ability will become apparent, and you will advance.

Answer 3

Your education is not as important as your experience in an actual kitchen.  Many will go to culinary school and the best they will ever do is line cook because it takes time, talent, and an excellent palate to become Chef.

Answer 4

You need not to be a degree holder or anything.. it just takes time to be a chef.. a period of time in the culinary school would help.. I still think that experience is the be a professional chef.. :)

Answer 5

2 to 4 years culinary school, depending on where you go and then experience working under a chef. After that, you can begin applying to be head chef, etc.

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Michael Grant

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