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If you've always been a purveyor of fine cuisine and enjoy utilizing creativity in your cooking, then a career as a chef may interest you! Chef schools, also known as culinary arts schools, are located throughout the United States. You'll learn the intricacies of food preparation and the finer points of kitchen management.
Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers prepare and cook a wide range of foods - from soups, salads, snacks, side dishes, entrees and desserts - in a variety of food establishments and restaurants. Chefs generally create recipes, manage the kitchen, and order supplies. Food preparation workers assist the chef by peeling and cutting fruits and vegetables, trimming meats, preparing poultry, and performing duties such as keeping work areas clean and monitoring temperatures of stoves and ovens.
Generally, chefs measure, mix, and cook ingredients according to specified recipes. They must be familiar with the various types of kitchen equipment and instruments. Chefs are also responsible for directing the duties of other kitchen employees.
Larger restaurants and food service establishments tend to have multiple chefs and cooks who are assigned to specific stations in the kitchen. The main chef is known as the Executive Chef while the second in command is referred to as the Sous Chef. Other food preparation workers are given titles to reflect their stations in the kitchen. For instance, the individual assigned to cold food preparation, such as salads and desserts, is referred to as the pantry cook.
Some chefs do not work in restaurants or food service kitchens. Personal chefs plan and prepare meals in private homes according to a client's personal preferences and dietary needs. Research chefs combine their culinary skills with food science to test new formulas, develop recipes, experiment with flavors and presentation, and test new products for chain restaurants, food growers, and manufacturers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for chefs is expected to be favorable due to the tendency of kitchen workers to transfer to other occupations and the high volume of restaurants in the United States. There are a variety of culinary arts programs available. Contact one of our featured institutions today for more information.
Salary Range:
$6.78 — $25.86 hourly wage
Education Level (minimum):
High school or equivalent; Post-high school vocational program
Growth Outlook (2002 – 2012):
3 – 9%
