How to Become a Chef: Education, Certifications & Career

Key Takeaways

• The executive chef stands at the top of the kitchen hierarchy and focuses on management, budgeting, and menu planning.
• To become a chef, you need culinary education, hands-on training, real-world experience, and certifications.
• As a chef, you can choose to work in restaurants, specialize in areas like pastry, sushi, and molecular gastronomy, or pursue roles as personal chefs, culinary instructors, or food stylists.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, a renowned French gastronome and epicure, once said, "Cooking is one of the oldest arts and one which has rendered us the most important service in civic life." His words continue to resonate to this day, as chefs are contributors to culture, hospitality, and everyday life.

Historically, they were seen as servants, however, this perception has shifted dramatically. Today, chefs are celebrated as skilled professionals—some even reaching celebrity status, appearing on television, writing best-selling cookbooks, and building global culinary empires. Beyond fame, a career as a chef can also be deeply fulfilling and financially rewarding, offering the opportunity to combine creativity with craftsmanship.

With such promising prospects, many culinary enthusiasts want to know how to become a chef. Well, the path does require a lot of dedication, skill development, and practical experience, but the reward is well worth all the effort.

How to Become a Chef

Becoming a chef takes more than a love for cooking—it requires determination, practice, and a commitment to developing the creative side of culinary arts alongside the technical one. Most find that structured training provides the best foundation to succeed in professional kitchens.

Pursue a culinary degree 

Cooking at home allows you to experiment with recipes and flavors—if something doesn't turn out right, you can simply try again. But when you're preparing dishes for paying guests in a restaurant or running your own culinary business, there's little room for error. That's why pursuing formal education is one of the best ways to build the skills and confidence needed to succeed as a chef.

At Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (CAAS), students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience so that they're well-prepared for the demands of the professional side of a kitchen.

Our graduates learn how to master essential culinary techniques—that's a given. But we believe there's more to the culinary world than just cooking. That's why we take a broader approach, blending hands-on training with a strong foundation in business.

The BA in Culinary Arts, for example, equips students with a wide range of culinary techniques while also developing their business acumen. When pursuing a career as a chef, understanding how to manage costs, lead a team, and run a successful operation is just as important as knowing how to create exceptional dishes.

For those looking for a shorter program, the Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts provides a focused, hands-on experience that covers some of the most essential culinary skills in just one year.

Train and practice

It's one thing to read about cooking techniques, but mastering them requires practice. The culinary degrees and diplomas at CAAS emphasize practical training, allowing students to refine their skills in professional-grade kitchens. Chogle added that:

A lot of what I am doing right now is influenced by my studies at CAAS... The added bonus is improved reputation and increased trust from clients who are reassured of my competence thanks to my Swiss degree.

Outside of formal education, aspiring chefs can also practice their skills by trying new recipes at home, experimenting with different ingredients, and cooking for family and friends. Participating in cooking workshops and online courses can also be a fun way to further expand culinary knowledge.

It's also worth noting that all this learning happens in state-of-the-art kitchens. As alumnus Chef Siddharth Chogle stated:

The kitchens that we had access to. The top of the line equipment for students to use. Swiss kitchens are something that I miss the most since I moved out of Switzerland! Even now I sometimes close my eyes and imagine that I am standing in the CAAS kitchen and it gives me goosebumps just to know that I had this phenomenal experience.

CAAS also organizes the Distinguished Chefs Series, which provides students with the opportunity to learn from world-class chefs who visit the campus each term. From Michelin-starred sushi master Chef Vladimir Pak to award-winning pastry chef Tony Olsson, these guests teach advanced techniques and share their skills and knowledge.

Gain work experience in a kitchen

Line cook or prep cook are the most common starting positions to develop practical skills and gain a deeper understanding of how professional kitchens operate. Working under experienced chefs teaches discipline, teamwork, and time management—all of which are important qualities for aspiring chefs.

Among the resources offered by CAAS as part of their career services is the International Recruitment Forum (IRF). It's an event where top industry leaders from around the world come to recruit talent—students can secure internships and job placements at renowned restaurants, hotels, and resorts.

For those looking to gain experience in the States, the partnership of CAAS with Yummy Jobs offers the chance to apply for internships in the United States.

Obtain relevant certifications

Certifications can help chefs stand out in a competitive industry by demonstrating their expertise in specific areas. In addition to their degree programs, CAAS also offers the Certificate in Vegetarian Culinary Arts. This program, designed for culinary students and professionals, teaches plant-based cuisine with an emphasis on presentation, sustainability, and zero waste.

As more diners seek vegetarian and vegan options, mastering these techniques can open up many new career opportunities and help chefs meet the growing demand for plant-based dishes.

Essential Skills to Become a Chef

To succeed in culinary arts, an aspiring chef must possess technical expertise and personal qualities.

 Some of these skills include:

• Understanding of how ingredients interact
• Chopping, slicing, dicing, and filleting with speed and precision
• Sautéing, roasting, grilling, and braising
• Consistency in presentation and flavor
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering food on schedule
• Creativity in developing unique recipes and visually appealing plating.
• Leadership skills
• Communication abilities
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Commitment to following health regulations and maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen

How Long Does It Take to Become a Chef?

Becoming a chef doesn't follow a strict timeline—it varies depending on skills, dedication, the type of training pursued, and the experience gained along the way. Some advance quickly with formal education, while others take longer due to attempting to advance only through hands-on experience in professional kitchens.

However, there are general timeframes that aspiring chefs can expect at different stages of their journey. Culinary school, for example, typically takes between 1 to 4 years. A diploma program like the Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts at CAAS can be completed in 1 year, while a more in-depth program like the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts takes about 3 years.

Following culinary school—or as an alternative to formal education—internships and apprenticeships generally last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the level of training and the establishment. Advancing from entry-level roles to positions such as sous chef or head chef can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on factors such as skill development, the type of establishment, mentorship opportunities, career moves, and formal culinary training.

Different Types of Chefs

Given the vast array of foods and cuisines available all over the world, the culinary field offers unlimited career paths for chefs. Some of the most popular options for careers that culinary enthusiasts could pursue include:

Restaurant chefs

A carefully structured hierarchy of chefs is the very center of any restaurant kitchen. This system includes roles as:

• Executive Chef - Stands at the top of the hierarchy and focuses on management, budgeting, and menu planning.
• Chef de Cuisine (Head Chef) - Responsible for the kitchen's daily operations, supervising staff, creating menus, ensuring food quality, and coordinating with other departments.
• Sous Chef (Second-in-Command) - Assists the head chef and manages the kitchen in their absence.
• Chef de Partie (Station Chef) - Leads a specific section of the kitchen. Some of the most common station chef types include:
  • Pastry Chef (Pâtissier)
  • Roast Chef (Rôtisseur)
  • Sauté Chef (Saucier)
  • Vegetable Chef (Entremetier)
  • Pantry Chef (Garde Manger)
• Junior Chef (Commis) - Assists station chefs.
• Relief Chef (Chef de Tournant) - Rotates between stations, filling in where needed.

Specialized chefs

Although restaurant chefs tend to master quite a broad range of culinary techniques, there is also the option to become a specialized chef and focus on perfecting specific cuisines or cooking methods.

Some such career options include roles like:

• Sushi chef: specializing in preparing sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese delicacies
• Molecular gastronomy chef: specializing in using scientific techniques to transform food textures and flavors
• French cuisine chef: specializing in classic and contemporary French culinary techniques
• Italian cuisine chef: specializing in traditional Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza, and risotto

Alternative culinary careers

Many chefs decide to pursue careers that allow them to showcase their culinary talents in different ways. They seek to combine their passion for food with other creative or entrepreneurial pursuits in roles like:

• Personal chefs who prepare customized meals for private clients
• Food stylists who arrange and present food for photography or film
• Caterers that provide food service for events and gatherings
• Culinary instructors who teach cooking techniques and culinary skills to others

Many also explore careers in food media. In this medium, they can share their passion for cooking with a broader audience and develop recipes for magazines and websites, write cookbooks, host cooking shows, or create food-related content for social media platforms.

How to Start Your Career as a Chef

Starting a career as a chef takes passion, practice, and a few smart moves to get your foot in the door. You should begin by putting together a solid resume that highlights your culinary education, practical experience, and key skills. Pair it with a well-crafted portfolio of your best dishes as well as any relevant awards or special recognitions you have received.

Keep in mind that building relationships is just as important as building skills. Connect with chefs, mentors, and industry professionals by attending culinary events or food festivals. Strong recommendations from instructors and supervisors can go a long way, so don't be afraid to ask for those references.

Always be on the lookout—for career opportunities, chef positions, new techniques, trends, and new certifications that can help set you apart from the competition. As long as you prepare for the role, keep developing your skills, and are truly interested in growing as a chef, you'll be well on your way to a rewarding career.

The Final Ingredient 

Now that you have the recipe for becoming a chef, it's time to bring it all together. Start with culinary education and mix it with hands-on training, practice, and real-world experience. If you want to refine the recipe to better match your palate, then consider certifications—they can add that extra layer of expertise.

However, even the best ingredients need the right equipment to achieve the perfect result. Think of Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (CAAS) as the stand mixer that saves you from a lumpy batter and the strain of mixing everything by hand. So, join us and step into your future as a chef!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you qualify as a chef?

To qualify as a chef, you typically must study culinary arts, get hands-on training, and gain real-world experience in professional kitchens.

How to pay for culinary school?

Many students cover the costs using a mix of savings, student loans, scholarships, and financial aid provided by culinary schools.

What is a beginner chef called?

A beginner chef is often known as a commis chef or junior chef. They start out by learning the ropes under seasoned professionals.