3 Ways To Become a Chef and Deciding Which One Is Right for You

Whether you want to own a 5-star restaurant that all the hottest celebrities visit or your goal is a food truck that you can take to festivals all over the country, one thing is certain: there is no one way to be a chef. All you need is some knowledge and a passion for food. Check out these different ways to become a chef to help you find your path.

1. Work Your Way Up in the Industry

Sometimes you start from the bottom, or even somewhere adjacent to the bottom. Maybe you help to deliver restaurant supplies right now. Who's to say you can't apply for an open line cook job at one of the restaurants you deliver to? You'll learn the basics and be able to work your way up the line. Eventually, you can become a sous chef and then a head chef. While you're perfecting your skills, be thinking about what you want to do when you're ready to open your own restaurant. Consider whether you should continue to work in the current restaurants you're working in or if you need to make a switch to high-end eateries as an example.

2. Get a Formal Education

There are a number of education options for people who hope to be a chef.

• Community College - Many community colleges offer courses in the culinary arts for a fraction of the cost of other chef courses. Community colleges also offer general education classes that allow students have more well-rounded associate degrees.
• Culinary School - Those who are super-focused on their careers as chefs may choose to go to a culinary school. The curriculum focuses strongly on learning how to become a professional chef and can take as little as one year or as long as four years. The cost is a bit more but you'll have access to professional training and updated kitchen facilities.
• Four-Year Schools - A comprehensive curriculum is available when you choose a bachelor's degree in the culinary arts. Instead of learning only how to cook, you'll also learn how to manage a restaurant, marketing tools, and more. 
• Vocational Schools - A vocation school's program is often the quickest way to gain some training in the culinary arts. Sometimes, programs are available to juniors and seniors in high school, providing young hopefuls a step up in the world of cooking. Other vocational programs are made for people who already have their GED or high school diploma and want to move right into kitchen work.

3. Get an Apprenticeship

Many culinary institutes, unions, and restaurant industry groups partner with the United States Department of Labor to create apprenticeship programs. These culinary arts programs combine on-the-job kitchen training with formal teaching for hopeful chefs. In addition to classroom training, participants in the apprenticeship program work under experienced chefs for at least a year, although some programs last as long as three years. People who hope to apply for apprenticeship programs must have graduated high school or have a GED, be at least 17 years old, and be able to pass a drug screening. 

How To Decide Which Option Is Right for You

Think about the type of restaurant that you hope to work in or own someday when considering which path to becoming a chef works best for you. If you want to earn money while you learn the ropes, working your way up, taking a vocational school program, or getting an apprenticeship is the best idea. However, keep in mind that if you hope to work in five-star restaurants someday, you're more likely to need either a culinary arts school or a four-year degree under your belt.

Regardless of which option you choose for your path to becoming a chef, remember to do thorough research first. Unfortunately, there are schools and programs out there that prey on people who are excited about their future and hoping to find a fast track. Ensure any programs are accredited before you give them your hard-earned money.