Additional Information
A chef does not need any formal training or specific education. However,
there are culinary schools and culinary programs at colleges and universities
that help aspiring chefs develop their skills. Look around to see if there
is a culinary school near you, or if local colleges and universities offer
culinary programs.
Chefs do require certain skills -- whether they have them naturally or
they go to school to get them.
"Certainly to excel or even tread water, a basic set of skills is required,"
says Matt Rissling, an executive chef.
David Pantone is the dean of culinary education at Lincoln Culinary Institute
in West Palm Beach, Florida. He says that while it is possible to succeed
without any education, most people get some schooling before attempting a
career as a chef.
"In this millennium, most young people go to a culinary school in order
to learn the right way and skip making a lot of newbie mistakes," he says.
"The more you learn, the more you grow."
Chefs can get certification through the American Culinary Federation. The
federation offers 14 different certification designations. Some examples include
certified executive chef, certified master pastry chef and personal certified
chef. Each certification has specific qualifications.