Any cooking fanatic has one time, or another thought about becoming and finding a job as a chef. Not only is finding a chef job tricky but becoming one takes time. You require countless hours of practice and hard work, especially when fresh in the industry. Anyone with good cooking skills can get a job as a chef. However, proper knowledge and culinary techniques are required to get a professional chef position. Here are ways to get your ideal chef job in Taunton.
Steps to finding a chef job
As a qualified chef, job sites, recruitment agencies and on-demand services are the best places to find jobs. For beginners, there is a process to follow before securing that job you want. They are;
Work in a restaurant kitchen
Cooking at home and in a busy high-end restaurant is different. Exposure to such an environment helps you know if you want to become a chef. You’ll unlikely start by cooking, so you may find yourself washing dishes, cleaning the surfaces and floors, etc. This is an excellent start to finding your desired chef job despite the current work.
Get a high school diploma
It’s one of the basic requirements for moving to culinary school, unlike a degree. Not all professional chefs have university degrees, but a high school GED is a must. Check out the GED programs offered in Taunton and enrol to progress to higher levels.
Go to culinary school
Culinary schools teach a wide range of skills and mastery of the hospitality industry. The curriculum only focuses on what a candidate needs to become a professional chef. Employers target people with these skills to fill positions in their companies. Remember, it’s not mandatory to have formal education but those who do have better and well-paying positions.
These institutions have varying diploma and degree programs lasting one to four years. There are plenty of culinary schools, one being Bridgwater and Taunton College. You are not limited to culinary schools only since you can join community colleges or vocational training centres for a similar experience.
Gain work experience
It’s only fit you get experience in the industry after years of study. Newly graduated students don’t start as chefs. They assist in the kitchen as they learn the tips and tricks of the job. Being in school exposes you to the chef world but being in the actual field provides a more significant experience. You can be an intern or apprentice under the guidance of an executive chef, head chef or any high-ranking chef. After some time, you can do what they do and maybe operate a station without them. The work practice widens your scope and networking opportunities.
Find your chef job
It’s the final step after gaining the necessary experience and understanding of the job. How you performed in the previous job or internship position highly influences how fast and where you get your first chef job. The company can refer you to a restaurant or ask you to apply for specific open positions. Alternatively, you can use job boards to get a suitable job as a chef.
At this stage, it’s easy to secure work as a commis chef with your qualifications. You can slowly climb the chef ladder to the highest position as you practise and gain more skills.
Also, consider looking being part of a chef agency like The Chef Tree Agency.
Final words
It’s easy to apply for and secure chef jobs with proper qualifications. You can be lucky enough to do so without the process above, but formal education plays a vital role. Employers seek those with specific tools and cooking methods to join their organizations. The process is straightforward even when applying on job sites or recruiter platforms. So, ensure that becoming a chef is what you want, attend culinary schools, gain experience then find the ideal chef job.