Steps in becoming a chef?

Question

Where/how should I start out? Some say go to culinary school, some say become an apprentice... I honestly don't know where to start. I'm done high school, I'd like to know the next step into becoming a great chef! Any tips/pointers would be greatly appretiated! Thanks!

Answer 1

A combination of both would be ideal as just learning a house style may limit your prospects in the future, but skill without experience is also limiting... on balance, I'd go apprentice.
Are you aware of the dreadful hours you will be working that will kill your social life with anyone other than people in the same career? Forget Christmas and your birthday! I'm not trying to put you off, but I've been there as they say and it can be lonely. You pay a high price for success in this business (and most new restaurants fail)

Answer 2

Try to get a back of house job and apply to culinary school. You know, school is never a waste of time, but you can become a chef without it (my uncle never went, he did really well at it- he's amazing). Maybe if you work in a kitchen first, though, you will know better if you really want to do this and get hands on experience, which really matters in this field. Both will help you get started, start working on either one, then the other. Maybe work for six months while you apply?

Answer 3

Join a culinary school which will certify you to become a chef, take up home science and cooking science such as hotel management or hospitality management to help you out.

Answer 4

Hi,
I used "EdSoup" to get the right college.With Edsoup, it's easy and FREE.You don't have to search for the right colleges.The right colleges will find you.They also helped me in getting my financial aid.More than 6600 colleges nationwide participating in this EdSoup program.Check it out here:
http://snipurl.com/1orsd