A chef is responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting food in restaurants, hotels, and other dining establishments. The role involves planning menus, ordering supplies, managing kitchen staff, and ensuring food safety standards are met. Chefs need creativity, attention to detail, and stamina, as the job can be physically demanding and fast-paced. Progression can lead from a commis chef to sous chef and eventually to head chef, with opportunities to specialise in specific cuisines or areas such as pastry or patisserie.
Chefs in the UK typically earn between £18,000 and £35,000 per year, with head chefs in high-end establishments earning up to £50,000 or more.
There are over 250,000 chef positions in the UK hospitality sector, with ongoing demand due to staff shortages and industry growth.
Chefs often work between 40 and 48 hours a week, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Specialises in making desserts, pastries, and baked goods in restaurants, hotels, or bakeries.
Acts as the second-in-command in a kitchen, helping the head chef manage kitchen staff and oversee food preparation.
Works for individuals or families, preparing customised meals in private homes or at special events.
Start by learning the basics of cooking, such as chopping, boiling, sautéing, and baking.
You can practise at home, take food technology classes at school, or join cookery clubs. Understanding basic techniques will give you confidence in the kitchen and help you prepare a variety of dishes.
Get hands-on experience by helping in a kitchen, either at home or by volunteering at local cafes or community events.
Working in a real kitchen environment helps you learn how to work under pressure, follow hygiene rules, and collaborate with others. Volunteering or having a part-time job in a kitchen can be a valuable first step.
Enrol in a catering or hospitality course at school or college, such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
These courses teach advanced cooking skills, food hygiene, nutrition, and menu planning. You can find courses at further education colleges or specialist cookery schools. Apprenticeships in professional cookery are also an excellent route to earn while you learn.
Get certified in food safety and hygiene, which is essential for working in any professional kitchen.
Food safety qualifications can often be completed online or as part of your college course. They demonstrate to employers that you understand how to handle and store food safely, which is a legal requirement in the industry.
Start your career in an entry-level kitchen role, such as a commis chef, to gain practical experience.
A commis chef is a junior position where you assist more experienced chefs, learn advanced techniques, and become familiar with kitchen routines. Progression typically comes with experience and showing dedication.
As you gain experience, take on more responsibility and work your way up to more senior roles like chef de partie, sous chef, and head chef.
Keep learning new cuisines, attend workshops, and seek feedback from senior chefs. You might also consider specialising in an area such as pastry, seafood, or international cuisine. Networking and building a strong reputation are important for career advancement.
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.
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