| If you have ever considered a career in the | | | | kitchen, such as, pastries, grill, desserts or sauces. |
| Catering World then becoming a qualified Chef | | | | After some experience in this role, you may be |
| may be an exciting and rewarding career choice. | | | | promoted to Sous Chef, a more senior role and |
| Being a Chef is a way of life and an art form. | | | | finally to Head Chef, where you are in complete |
| You do need certain qualities to be successful, | | | | charge of the kitchen, staff, quality of food and |
| such as, a sensitive palate, creativity, good | | | | are responsible for providing a great service. |
| organisation skills, determination and the ability to | | | | Many restaurants fail due to poor management |
| be able to delegate. | | | | and poor quality of kitchen staff. You may have |
| Being a Chef is not always glamourous as | | | | seen Gordon Ramsey in his series "Kitchen |
| kitchens are noisy, hot, steamy, hectic, | | | | Nightmares". It is not unusual for a restaurant to |
| pressurised and very stressful at times. You will | | | | close within a year of opening due to poor quality |
| also have to work unsociable hours including | | | | of staff, lack of ambiance, quality of decor, but |
| weekends and evenings and will need to show | | | | most importantly, poor food and service. |
| true commitment in order to progress within a | | | | Everyone wants their dining experience to be a |
| good restaurant. | | | | good one. If the food is excellent, then you are |
| You can start by completing a GCSE in catering | | | | more likely to return and recommend it to others. |
| at school then go to college to complete the NVQ | | | | If being a Chef is not for you but you like the |
| Level 2 and 3 qualifications. There are several | | | | idea of a buzzing restaurant atmosphere, you |
| degrees available at university covering | | | | could consider waitressing, front of house or bar |
| professional culinary arts and management skills in | | | | tender. Again, they can all be stressful Jobs as |
| catering. | | | | when things go wrong, you are the first point of |
| After completion of the above, you can then | | | | contact. However, it can be financially rewarding if |
| think about a placement in a bar, restaurant, hotel | | | | you do a good Job and offer great service to |
| or other type of kitchen. You will generally start | | | | your customers. |
| as a Commis Chef, spending time in all areas of | | | | There are many Internet Job sites and Job |
| the kitchen under supervision. Once you are fairly | | | | boards offering Job opportunities in the Catering |
| confident, you can progress to Chef de Partie and | | | | World. |
| take responsibilty for one particular area of the | | | | |