Choosing Culinary Training

Welcome back to our series on how to become a chef. Hopefully you have decided if this profession is for you and what specialty and culinary schools you have decided on. In this article we are going to look at what qualifications it takes and how to advance in this profession.

Once you have started at a beginning level as a cook or apprentice, you will want to move ahead and into an assistant cook position. This doesn�t sound like much, but it will be necessary when looking to advance to an executive chef level.

You must train and go to school for a few years to be able to work your way into a fine restaurant or a head chef position. You will also need a few years of experience. That is why many people begin to work in restaurants when they are in high school. You can also work while taking your scholastic training in the culinary industry. The most popular methods of training are as follows:

Vocational Trade School: Lasts 2-4 years and is hands-on training. You earn full certification and can work anywhere in the country.Tuition is anywhere from 5000-15,000 per year.

Apprenticeship for Culinary Institute: Lasts six months-two years, depending on the type of advancement you want. You often get paid while training and land a full time job afterwards. $3000-5000 per course program,.

Apprenticesihp for Employer: Lasts 1-4 years. Generally free. Hands-on experience. Certification only recognized in your state.

This is just a quick breakdown of what to expect from culinary schools and each of these types of training. In our next article we are going to continue with qualifications and advancement, as there is just too much info to cover in just one article. Be sure to watch for the next installment in this series.

Become A Chef