A chef is responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting food in restaurants, hotels, pubs, and other food establishments. The role can range from a commis chef, who assists with basic tasks, to a head chef in charge of the entire kitchen. Chefs plan menus, manage kitchen staff, order supplies, and ensure food safety and hygiene standards are met. Creativity, organisation, and the ability to work under pressure are essential. Many chefs specialise in a particular cuisine or type of food, and career progression is possible through experience, qualifications, and on-the-job training.
Chefs in the UK typically earn between £16,000 and £30,000 per year, with head chefs and experienced professionals earning up to £45,000 or more.
There were around 350,000 people employed as chefs in the UK hospitality sector in 2023.
Chefs often work long and unsociable hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, with typical shifts ranging from 40 to 60 hours per week.
A pastry chef specialises in making desserts, cakes, pastries and other baked goods in restaurants, hotels or bakeries.
A sous chef is the second in command in a kitchen, supporting the head chef with food preparation, cooking and managing the kitchen team.
A private chef prepares meals for individuals or families in their homes, often creating bespoke menus and catering for special dietary needs.
Start learning essential cooking techniques and kitchen safety, either at home, in school, or at local classes.
You can practise your cooking at home and try out new recipes. Many community centres and colleges offer introductory courses in food preparation and hygiene, which are helpful for beginners. Watching cooking shows and reading cookbooks can also inspire you and help you learn new methods.
Work towards recognised qualifications such as GCSEs or a Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
Employers often look for candidates with formal training. Options include hospitality and catering courses at college as well as apprenticeships. You may also need a food hygiene certificate, which is often a legal requirement for working in a professional kitchen.
Apply for positions such as kitchen assistant, commis chef, or apprentice chef to get hands-on experience.
Look for jobs in local restaurants, hotels, or catering companies. Entry-level roles allow you to learn from experienced chefs, develop practical skills, and get used to working in a busy kitchen environment.
Explore different areas of cooking to find your area of interest, such as pastry, fine dining, or world cuisine.
As you gain experience, you may want to specialise in a particular type of cuisine or kitchen role. Many chefs choose to focus on areas like baking, patisserie, or sauce making. Learning from different chefs and trying new styles can help you find your passion.
Take on more responsibility in the kitchen and aim for roles such as sous chef or head chef.
Promotion often comes with experience and proven skills. Show leadership, reliability, and creativity to progress. Many chefs move up by demonstrating their ability to run a kitchen section, manage other staff, and create new dishes.
Stay motivated to learn new skills, attend culinary workshops, and consider further qualifications.
The food industry is always evolving, so keeping up to date with trends, techniques, and new equipment is important. Networking with other chefs and entering competitions can also enhance your career and reputation.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Chef. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
You can get into this job through:
You can study for a higher education qualification in:
You'll usually need:
You could take a college course to get into this industry. Courses include:
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
You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship. There are several available for this role, including:
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:
You'll usually need:
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.
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.
You can find out more about how to become a chef from Caterer.com.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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