Chef
Chefs prepare, cook and present food in hotels, bars and restaurants.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a chef, you would:
- develop recipes, plan menus and create new dishes
- research new ingredients and suppliers
- prepare and cook dishes and desserts
- control stock and inspect deliveries
- maintain food safety and hygiene standards
- supervise kitchen staff to make sure food is of high quality, presented well and served on time
Working environment
You could work at a restaurant, in an NHS or private hospital, at a school, at a college or on a cruise ship.
Your working environment may be hot, humid and physically demanding.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could progress from being a commis chef, preparing and cooking dishes, to sous chef, supervising staff and running a kitchen when the head chef is away.
As a head chef, you could train to move into restaurant or hospitality management. If you work for a chain, you may be responsible for managing several sites.
You could also set up a catering business or open your own restaurant.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of food production methods
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- leadership skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You can study for a higher education qualification in:
- culinary arts
- professional cookery
- bakery and patisserie technology
- food and nutrition
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could take a college course to get into this industry. Courses include:
- hospitality and catering
- professional cookery
- culinary skills
- a T Level in Catering
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship. There are several available for this role, including:
- Production Chef or Commis Chef Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Chef de Partie Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Pastry Chef Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Senior Culinary Chef Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
These take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
You can also train to be a chef by doing an apprenticeship in the armed forces:
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start work as a kitchen assistant or trainee commis chef in a restaurant or catering company and work your way up while learning on the job.
Career tips
You'll need a food safety certificate as a chef. Training courses last 1 to 2 days and are widely available through local authorities, colleges and private training providers.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a chef from Caterer.com.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.