Executive chefs and head cooks are the masters of the kitchen. They create unique menus, and hire, train and manage a comprehensive team of sous chefs, bakers, prep cooks, sauciers, wine stewards and servers. They work at renowned hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise ships and spas. Some own and operate their establishments, while others prefer to work in catering.
Many people aspire to become a head chef, but few have the passion, work ethic and devotion to put in the necessary years of education and experience needed to reach the top of the food chain. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, on the average, it takes ten years to rise from entry-level prep cook to the executive or head-chef roles. But if you are passionate about fine dining and desire a culinary career, you can reach the pinnacle of the culinary profession if you have the dedication. The key lies in lifelong learning.
Start as Soon as You Can
The BLS estimates that over 200,000 new positions will be created in the restaurant business each year through the end of the decade. Executive chefs will be among the elite, and will be compensated accordingly. Online colleges currently offer adult learning programs in the culinary arts and in hospitality management. They're a great place to start preparing for your career -- or to continue your advanced training to move on to upscale restaurants and hotels.
Offer: Search for Schools
If you're just entering the food service field, begin by accepting entry-level kitchen jobs, and start your education as soon as possible. The good thing about online culinary studies is that you can train and earn at the same time. And you can incorporate your newly honed classroom skills at your current workplace.
There are several options for beginning your training:
- Many colleges and universities offer a wide range of cooking classes, offering two- or four-year programs as well as graduate degrees in the culinary arts.
- There are culinary institutes that are dedicated solely to chef training, sparing you unnecessary coursework outside of your field.
- Professional institutes offer apprenticeship programs, and some hotels and restaurants offer private training programs to qualified applicants.
The breadth of adult education training programs offer new and continuing students an exceptional exposure to industry expertise and mentoring. The cooking schools that offer associate and bachelor's degrees, certificates and diplomas combine classroom training with hands-on practice. Beginners can tackle coursework in culinary arts, patisserie and baking or hospitality and restaurant management.
Earning a diploma or associate degree can boost your entry level into the profession. If you're changing careers and already hold an associate degree, why not consider earning a bachelor's degree, thereby increasing your entry wages and culinary role?
What will you need to know to thrive? By continuing your education, you can learn about menu planning, inventory control, nutrition, knife skills, wines and beverages, desserts and show pieces, public-health requirements, French techniques, cross-cultural and modern cuisine, sauces and culinary trends.
Rising to the Top
Many trainees work as unpaid apprentices during their schooling until they discover their specialty. A lot of successful executive chefs began their careers as prep cooks. As you chop, slice and assemble ingredients, you'll get direct tutelage from your head chef.
Depending on your training and on-the-job savvy, you might begin at higher level, perhaps as a line-station cook. If you remain dedicated to schooling, you can advance into specialty training for positions as a pastry chef or a garde manger cook (the one who specializes in sauces, dressings and creative use of leftovers). Remember, every head chef begins at the bottom.
If you already have kitchen and dining experience and want to aim high, consider enhancing your credentials through an online Bachelor of Science in Business Hospitality Management program.
Adult Learning Equals Increased Earning
Culinary training never really ends as the profession constantly changes to reflect customer demands for fresh, unique cuisine. For those who want to take a leadership role with a four-star hotel, a major dining chain or with an upscale restaurant, there are business degree programs that focus on human resource management, marketing/advertising, accounting and computer applications used in the dining and hospitality industry.
Several colleges now offer specialized M.B.A. degrees with concentrations in hospitality and tourism management, emphasizing skills in food and beverage administration, staff management and hotel-restaurant oversight. An online M.B.A. program allows you to continue your present culinary work as you train for advancement.
For entrepreneurs -- or simply those who hope to someday own and operate their own restaurant or inn -- a business degree can offer tangible insight into financing, budgeting and creating effective business growth strategies.
Rising to the top of the culinary arts means hard work and ongoing learning. You'll need stamina, focus and commitment. For some it takes ten years to reach their goals. Why not take the challenge and beat the national average?
