👨🍳
hospitality
Chef
Chefs prepare, cook and present food in a wide range of settings from fine dining restaurants to hotels, pubs, schools and hospitals. It is an intense but rewarding career for people who are passionate about food and thrive under pressure. The hospitality industry is one of the UK’s largest employers and skilled chefs are always in demand.
What You'll Do Day-to-Day
- ✓ Preparing ingredients and cooking dishes to order
- ✓ Following and creating recipes and menus
- ✓ Managing food hygiene and kitchen safety
- ✓ Ordering stock and managing food costs
- ✓ Working as part of a fast-paced kitchen brigade
Qualifications You'll Need
- 📚 Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery
- 📚 Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery
- 📚 Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 minimum)
- 📚 T-Level in Catering (new route)
Pros
- ▲ Creative and passionate career
- ▲ Opportunities to travel and work internationally
- ▲ Can progress to head chef or open your own restaurant
- ▲ No two days are the same
- ▲ Immediate satisfaction of feeding people
Cons
- ▼ Long, unsociable hours (evenings, weekends, holidays)
- ▼ Hot, high-pressure kitchen environment
- ▼ Physically demanding — standing for entire shifts
- ▼ Starting pay can be low relative to hours worked