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Chef
Head chef, sous chef, commis chef, cook
Chefs prepare, cook and present food in hotels, bars and restaurants.
Average salary (a year)
£22000
Starter
£40000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 45.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You can study for a higher education qualification in
culinary arts, professional cookery, bakery and patisserie technology, food and nutrition
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could take a college course to get into this industry. Courses include
hospitality and catering, professional cookery, culinary skills, a T Level in Catering
Entry requirements
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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship. There are several available for this role, including
Production Chef or Commis Chef Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Chef de Partie Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, Pastry Chef Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, Senior Culinary Chef Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
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:Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Army apprenticeships|https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/apprenticeships-skills/
RAF apprenticeships|https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/apprenticeships
Royal Navy apprenticeships|https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/levels-of-entry/apprenticeships
Work
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.
More Information
Career Tips
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.
Further Information
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of food production methods
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Leadership skills
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to work well with your hands
    The ability to organise your time and workload
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a chef, you would
develop recipes, plan menus and create new dishes, research new ingredients and suppliers, prepare and cook dishes and desserts, control stock and inspect deliveries, maintain food safety and hygiene standards, supervise kitchen staff to make sure food is of high quality, presented well and served on time
Working environment
You could work at a restaurant, in an NHS or private hospital, at a school, at a college or on a cruise ship.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be hot, humid and physically demanding.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience you could progress from being a commis chef, preparing and cooking dishes, to sous chef, supervising staff and running a kitchen when the head chef is away.
As a head chef, you could train to move into restaurant or hospitality management. If you work for a chain, you may be responsible for managing several sites.
You could also set up a catering business or open your own restaurant.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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