Getting a job in the culinary arts may require many years of training – or none at all – depending on the area of the culinary arts you want to go into.
If you’re looking for a career in the fast food or short-order industry, you won’t need any education past your high school diploma, since you’ll receive most of your training on the job. However, if you would like to become a chef and work in an upper-level restaurant or open your own restaurant, you’ll need to attend a professional culinary arts school.
Requirements for Becoming a Chef
Generally, you’ll need to earn a certificate or even a two- or four-year degree to be a head chef or own your own restaurant. You can pursue these programs from any culinary arts school, although not all of them are accredited by the American Culinary Federation. These programs usually last a year or two, before you move into an apprenticeship that lasts another few years.
Few graduates go directly to a head cook or chef position; most must spend a few years gaining experience in the kitchen before they meet the requirements to become a chef in a higher-level position.
If you're anxious to begin your culinary arts career, you may find that some of these programs offer accelerated degree options. In these programs, you'll take longer classes over a shorter period of time – rather than taking a handful of classes each semester. While these programs do enable you to enter the workforce sooner, they can be intense – be sure you're up for the challenge before you enroll.
In addition to education, there are a number of other qualifications for becoming a chef. You will likely need to demonstrate these qualification in order to gain employment. Working in a kitchen is a hot, high pressure environment, and it takes a certain kind of temperament to withstand that kind of stress day-in and day-out. You’ve got to be ready to work quickly while juggling a number of orders and tasks. With practice, you can become more efficient – although working chefs may have limited patience if this is a skill you don't inherently possess.
Another qualification for culinary arts professionals is manual dexterity – you’ll have to be able to cut, slice, and chop various foods during the day without cutting yourself. You also need a good sense of taste and smell to know when dishes are done and if they taste like they should. If you’re planning on becoming a head chef someday, you'll also need to be creative with your food. Restaurant menus and specialty dishes are often created by the head chef or owner, so you may be called on to create your very own dish to serve.
Finally, you need to have a sense of cleanliness because kitchens must adhere to the strictest of health codes and requirements. Many culinary arts education programs offer classes on food safety protocols – it's imperative that you be familiar with these, especially if you own your own restaurant. You may also find it useful to know a foreign language since many restaurant staff members are international.
In addition to these qualifications and education, there's one very, very important thing you must have to really make your mark in the culinary arts – passion. You have to be passionate about your cooking and the food you create. The culinary arts field is one of those areas in which a person’s enjoyment of their job is truly reflected in their work. If you're passionate about cooking, your enthusiasm will show through in the quality of the dishes you create and prepare.
Culinary programs are offered at more than 30 locations making The Art Institutes the largest culinary school system in North America. Request your free information packet right now and get on the road to an exciting career in culinary arts. Learn more about the Art Institutes | Request free info
