How to Become a Sous Chef?

While there are no specific education requirements for becoming a chef, you'll need at least some on-the-job training and experience. More expensive restaurants often require an associate's or bachelor's degree in culinary arts from a university, community college, or specialized culinary arts school. Many more establishments ask for a high school diploma or GED.

Getting a degree can also help you advance your career faster. Before you pursue a degree, get a job as a line cook. That way, you can use your experience in the restaurant industry on your application. You can also learn more about what being a chef is like and make a more informed decision about your career goals.

Many culinary programs offer hands-on internships to help you get even more experience. These programs cover aspects of the job like planning menus, ordering ingredients and supplies, and food safety. It's also a good idea to get one or more additional certifications. The American Culinary Federation offers certifications for executive or master chefs, culinary administrators, sous chefs, and personal chefs. Executive chefs coordinate the work of other chefs, train employees, design menus, and make food and beverage purchases. A sous chef reports directly to an executive chef, and a personal chef plans and prepares meals in a private home.

No matter how much training you receive, you won't be able to become a top chef without accumulating some experience in a more entry-level position. For example, chefs de partie work on preparing specific types of dishes, like desserts, fish, or pasta, and commis chefs act as assistants for chefs de partie.

When you apply for chef jobs, list any experience, certifications, or degrees on your resume. Discuss your past accomplishments, such as menu items you developed or ways you helped reduce costs. When possible, use the keywords and phrases that you see in the job description. Many companies use specialized software to screen candidates, and a real person may not look at your application and offer you an interview without the right phrasing.