Chef Career Path And Overview
Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not intended to be a substitute for professional or legal advice.
A Chef is a skilled professional cook who is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of a kitchen.
Job Duties of a Chef
| Plan menus and develop new recipes |
| Purchase food and supplies |
| Manage budgets and food expenses |
| Supervise kitchen staff and oversee food preparation |
| Ensure kitchen is clean, and food is stored safely |
Salary of a Chef in USA
| Min | Median | Max |
|---|---|---|
| $30,910 | $50,160 | $84,570 |
Chefs earned a median of $50,160 in May 2021. i.e. half of chefs earned below $50,160 and half earned above that.
The lowest 10% chefs earned less than $30,910 and the highest 10% earned more than $84,570.
Education Requirements For Becoming A Chef
| Education Level | Major | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Required | |
| Associate | Culinary Arts | Recommended |
| Bachelor's | Culinary Arts | Recommended |
| Master's | Culinary Arts | Nice To Have |
Top Colleges For Becoming A Chef
| Culinary Institute of America |
| Institute of Culinary Education |
| Johnson and Wales University |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts |
| Kendall College of Culinary Arts |
Top Certifications For Becoming A Chef
| Certification or License | Provider |
|---|---|
| Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) | American Culinary Federation |
| Certified Culinarian (CC) | American Culinary Federation |
| Certified Sous Chef (CSC) | American Culinary Federation |
| Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) | American Culinary Federation |
| Certified Executive Chef (CEC) | American Culinary Federation |