There are plenty of exciting opportunities if you are looking for work in the hospitality sector, especially if you can find a position that suits your personal needs and offers long-term career prospects. Becoming a chef is just one of these options, and it can provide you with the skills and experience you need to forge your own path in this sector.
The first step for anyone looking to become a chef will be to pursue a relevant qualification in the areas they are looking to follow and find an apprenticeship that meets their needs. There are many avenues to becoming a professional chef, so finding one that is right for you is incredibly important.
If you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship in the hospitality sector, consider investigating the range of resources on offer through Apprenticeship Central. As well as many employers seeking workers in this sector, the site also has useful resources on finding and retaining an apprenticeship.
Once you’ve passed the first hurdle and qualified as a chef, what further options are available to you? Here are three avenues you might choose to pursue.
Becoming a head chef
Head chefs will be the leaders in a commercial kitchen. Not only do they oversee the day-to-day operations, they are also responsible for menu planning and liasing with other sections of the restaurant.
Becoming a head chef will require you to work your way up within the ranks of a food business, moving through different stations and demonstrating your ability to lead a team.
Opening your own restaurant
This is probably the dream of many new chefs – to open a place of their own where they have full creative and managerial control. If you do pursue this option, you’ll find yourself with a full range of responsibilities beyond simply cooking. You’ll be expected to manage the books, handle payroll and oversee the performance of all your staff.
While this might feel like a distraction from your core mission of cooking, the freedom that comes from owning your own restaurant can certainly make this a worthwhile option.
Finding your own specialisation
There are many opportunities out there that a chef can move into once they have some skills under their belt. This could be in professional catering, working for a food and beverage company developing products or even becoming a consultant to help restaurants develop their own menus.
Clearly there is no shortage of opportunity for those who choose to work in the hospitality sector as a chef. The only challenge is working out which opportunity is right for you in the long run.
