Chefs and cooks both play essential roles in the culinary industry. Although these two careers may initially seem to have many similarities, understanding the differences in educational commitment, job responsibilities, skills, and career paths is essential to ensure you’re getting the most rewarding return on investment (ROI).
Chef as a Trade Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the basic education you need to start working as a chef. However, to boost your employment and career growth opportunities, you may want to obtain postsecondary education, such as the culinary programs offered at four-year colleges, technical or vocational schools, community colleges and culinary arts schools, among other institutions.
You can enroll in the fastest trade degree programs in Culinary Arts from the best schools! You obtain practical, hands-on learning experiences and build a solid knowledge base and become a successful chef.
Courses for becoming a chef typically include:
- Basic to advanced food preparation techniques
- Culinary presentation
- Garde Manger or cold kitchen preparation
- Local and international cuisine
- Classic and modern cuisine
- Internship courses
- Preparation for standard certificate exams
Other ways for you to become a chef or head cook include:
- Mentorship programs where you work under experienced chefs
- Apprenticeship programs are usually sponsored by professional culinary establishments and industry groups
Becoming a Chef
| Starting Salary | $33,750 per year |
| Average Salary | $60,210 per year |
| Duties | – Oversees kitchen operations – Recipe creation – Menu planning and development – Supervision and training of kitchen staff – Inventory management and supplies procurement – Food quality and safety management – Monitoring of sanitary practices – Compliance with kitchen safety standards |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 5% |
| Largest Employer(s) | Restaurants and dining establishments |
| Highest Paying Employer(s) | Financial and investment companies |
What It Takes to Become a Chef
Hard skills:
- Proficiency in various cooking methods
- Knowledge of ingredients
- Food safety and sanitation
- Knife skills
- Recipe-making and menu planning
- Time management to meet service times
- Inventory management
- Equipment operation
Soft skills:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Stress management
- Adaptability to changing schedules, staff shortages, kitchen emergencies and menu changes, among others
- Creativity in creating new dishes or adapting existing recipes
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Business skills
Advance Your Career as a Chef
If you haven’t done so, obtaining an Associate or Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts or a relevant field can help further your career as a chef because the curriculum often includes courses in business management, customer service and hospitality operations.
These credentials, coupled with years of hands-on experience, can open doors to management roles, leadership opportunities, and high pay in Culinary Arts. You’ll also have the chance to open your own restaurant or catering business.
For certifications, here are some considerations:
- Chefs may require a food handler’s certification in some localities or states.
- The American Culinary Federation or ACF can provide optional certifications for various types of chefs, e.g., Certified Master Chef (CMC), Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and Certified Sous Chef (CSC).
Why you should be a Chef:
- You love cooking and have a passion for leading a team of cooks
- You have natural skills in food handling, preparation, and presentation
- You are interested in witnessing the joy and satisfaction your culinary creations bring to people
Why you should NOT become a Chef:
- You panic under pressure, particularly during busy dining hours in the kitchen
- You lack interest in creating flavors
- You’re not interested in the business aspects of running a kitchen or restaurant
Let’s Compare: Chef vs Cook
| Chef | Cook | |
| Starting salaries | $33,750 per year | Around $21,990 per year ($10.57 per hour – cooks are typically paid hourly) |
| Average salaries | $60,210 per year | $32,080 per year |
| Job Responsibilities | – Overseeing kitchen operations – Recipe creation – Menu planning and development – Supervision and training of kitchen staff – Inventory management and supplies procurement – Food quality and safety management – Monitoring of sanitary practices and compliance with kitchen safety standards | – Assisting chefs in the kitchen – Food preparation and cooking based on recipes and instructions – Kitchen equipment cleaning and maintenance – Adhering to food cooking standards |
| Entry-Level Education | High school graduate or equivalent | No formal education is required, but employers may prefer cooks who are at least high school graduates. |
| Certifications/Licensing | American Culinary Federation provides optional certification for various chef types as well as fundamental cooks and pastry cooks.Food Handler’s Certification in some states/localities | |
| Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032) | 5% | 6% |
| Largest Employer(s) | Restaurants and dining establishments | |
| Highest Paying Employer(s) | Financial and investment companies | Maritime support and marine logistics services |
Cook as a Trade Program
Although you can start your career as a cook without any formal education, some employers prefer hiring cooks who have at least graduated from high school. To increase your chances of qualifying for an entry-level cook position in restaurants, however, you may want to attend cooking-related programs and courses from culinary training institutes, colleges, or vocational schools.
Some of the courses include:
- Basic food and kitchen safety and sanitation
- Knife selection, handling and maintenance
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Specific culinary areas like egg dishes, vegetables, soups/stocks/sauces, bread and pastry, and herbs and salads
- International, local and ethnic cuisines
Just like chefs, aspiring cooks can also obtain the training and experience they need through:
- Mentorship program
- Apprenticeships
- Training programs conducted by hotels or restaurants for their staff
Becoming a Cook
| Starting Salary | Around $21,990 per year ($10.57 per hour) Cooks are typically paid hourly. |
| Average Salary | $32,080 per year |
| Duties | – Assisting chefs in the kitchen – Food preparation and cooking based on recipes and instructions – Kitchen equipment cleaning and maintenance – Adhering to food cooking standards |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 6% |
| Largest Employer(s) | Restaurants and dining establishments |
| Highest Paying Employer(s) | Maritime support and marine logistics services |
What It Takes to Become a Cook
The hard and soft skills required for cooks are essentially the same as those required for chefs. However, cooks generally have a more hands-on role in the kitchen, and thus, certain skills are more pronounced or uniquely emphasized in their role.
Hard skills:
- Food preparation techniques, e.g., slicing and chopping
- Station-specific skills, e.g., sauté station, pastry station, and grill station
- Portion control, especially when following standardized recipes
- Adept at working efficiently and quickly
- Equipment operation
Soft skills:
- Ability to follow instructions
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability to changing priorities, tasks or stations to meet the demands of the kitchen
- Physical stamina and endurance
Advance Your Career as a Cook
The ACF can provide non-mandatory certifications for Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) and Certified Fundamentals Pastry Cook (CFPC), which can boost your career. On the other hand, cooks may be required to earn a food handler’s certification in some states or localities.
Your professional development as a cook will be influenced by various factors, such as your education and training from a leading trade school, hands-on working experiences, and proficiency in specific cuisines. Your career growth opportunities include:
- Supervising and training kitchen personnel
- Becoming a chef, head cook, or food service manager
Why you should be a Cook:
- You’re passionate about culinary arts and eager to start working at a young age, as postsecondary education for cooks often requires only a few months
- You love working with food and delighting others through cooking
- You seek creative outlet through cooking, even in fast-paced environments
Why you should NOT become a Cook:
- You lack attention to detail in food preparation
- You dislike working in hot and fast-paced environments
- You struggle with repetitive tasks
Final Word
You may aspire to lead a kitchen as a chef or prefer a more hands-on role as a cook. Before you choose which career to invest in, however, you may also have to consider your personal and career goals as well as your skill sets and interests. By doing so, you can be sure you’re on the right path toward a fulfilling career in the culinary arts!
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