You can study for a higher education qualification in:

• culinary arts
• professional cookery
• bakery and patisserie technology
• food and nutrition

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could take a college course to get into this industry. Courses include:

• hospitality and catering
• professional cookery
• culinary skills
• a T Level in Catering

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You could get into this career by doing an apprenticeship. There are several available for this role, including:

• Production Chef or Commis Chef Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Chef de Partie Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Pastry Chef Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Senior Culinary Chef Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These take between 1 and 2 years to complete.

You can also train to be a chef by doing an apprenticeship in the armed forces:

• Army
• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You could start work as a kitchen assistant or trainee commis chef in a restaurant or catering company and work your way up while learning on the job.

You'll need:

• knowledge of food production methods
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• leadership skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As a chef, you would:

• develop recipes, plan menus and create new dishes
• research new ingredients and suppliers
• prepare and cook dishes and desserts
• control stock and inspect deliveries
• maintain food safety and hygiene standards
• supervise kitchen staff to make sure food is of high quality, presented well and served on time

You could work at a restaurant, in an NHS or private hospital, at a school, at a college or on a cruise ship.

Your working environment may be hot, humid and physically demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.