There are various fields as a cook for which you can apply. Chef, Pastry Chef, Sous Chef, Baker, Trainee cook, and executive Sous Chef are some of the field worth mentioning. Opting for the post of a Chef is very rewarding and helps you to put your career on the right track. As a chef you may be supervisor of the group of cook who will work under your guidance and order. The whole responsibility of that team will be upon you. The chef has to face many challenges from the outside world and as such needs to adapt himself and his group to it. The challenge is even more for new chefs, as it is very difficult for him to mange and control the group. He also has to face problems while forming a network.
There are two paths to become a chef. The first path which is very common and as much as 70% of all chefs follow it. This path is choosing to become an apprentice. They are basically those personnel which are salaried and employed under some hotels or restaurants. They train themselves under the guidance of some executive chef and thereby set their career in hospitality industries.
The other path to become a chef is to take training from well renowned institutions. In this path there is fixed curriculum which is to be strictly followed by the candidates to become a chef and acquire a job. The institutions also provide training and other facilities to make them aware of the hospitality industry. There are several institutes which provide knowledge on the various aspects of cooking.
There is a 2 year associate degree program for apprentice candidates and can help them to become trained with the techniques of cooking and make them available for the job of Chef. There are also several other degree courses for other people hoping to opt for a career as a pastry chef. There is a specialized degree course on pastry and bakery making. As a pastry chef you dedicate your life to make deserts for the customers.
The Bachelor's course for the cook lasts for around 3 to 4 years. It is very important to choose the perfect college for your training and degree. There are various points which should be kept in mind before choosing one. Select the college which has world class courses and which can provide all the necessary facilities. The college should be chosen that can help you to get contacts at a national level so as to help you to place to the appropriate place. The time allotted for the practical sessions should be large enough for the benefits of your career in hospitality industry. To work in these industries practical knowledge holds prime importance compared to theoretical knowledge. Look for the college which has "Certified Hospitality Educators" (C.H.E.) tutors.
The basic idea of becoming a chef is to be able to make all types of dishes. For this a vocational training on making different type of dishes can help you to sustain your job despite of the global meltdown and recession. As the world is ever changing, you need to be able to change according to the time and the skills, which need to be taught among the chefs. The global job prospect for a chef is very high and having a work experience of more than 5 years can help you get job of the chief chef in any hotel worldwide. Having experience can also help you get placed in 5 star hotels of the world.
After getting proper knowledge and experience you can end up opening up your own restaurants and earn your livelihood. The salaries for a fresher in this industry can go up to $25,000 per annum. As you get experience and promotion this will help you get around $50,000 approximately per year. For the executive chef working in a renowned hotel can expect to get $60,000 and up as an annual salary.
The world is moving fast and the hospitality industry is rising in all parts of the sphere. The need of a cook in every place ranging from small restaurants to big hotels cannot be neglected. It is one of the most sought after jobs in the world.
