What is the career path for a chef?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The career path for a chef includes jobs as a sous chef, line cook, and specialty chef. Most chefs have a background in culinary arts, and it is not uncommon for them to have graduated from an accredited culinary institution.

An apprenticeship is also often necessary, especially for those looking to become head chefs of their restaurant someday.

After graduating from culinary school, most chefs begin their careers working as line cooks. This is typically a job where you help cook many different dishes. It helps to give you more time to understand the industry. There is a definite hierarchy in the culinary arts, and while this is at the bottom, it is a critical step for advancement.

After working the line for a bit, some people choose to move into a specialty position where you cook almost entirely one single thing. This could be a fish chef, a vegetable chef, or a pastry chef. This allows you to become specialized in one area. You can do a few specialties at different times to prepare you.

After this, you can become a sous chef if you have shown what it takes to be a great chef. A sous chef is second in command to the head chef of a kitchen.

They aid the head chef. While the other jobs are not necessarily requirements for becoming a head chef, being a sous chef truly is, as this is crucial training for becoming a head chef.

Once you have experience being a sous chef and a spot opens up, you can become a head chef. From there, you can choose to stay at the restaurant you are at, or you may choose to move up to more established restaurants. You may even decide to open your own restaurant where you can fully control the menu and atmosphere.