How to become a Chef

We have been looking at careers for our inquiry this Term.

We had to do a Career quiz which asked us questions about our passions. It then gave us a list of jobs that we would enjoy. Here is the link to the site we used Career Quiz Site.

My favorite jobs that it gave me were a Chef or an Air Force Officer.

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Here is my presentation that we will be showing to the year 6's tomorrow.

Chefs normally need 1-3 years of training and past experience in a kitchen.

You could also be a chef in the Navy, Army or the Air Force

Job opportunities

At the moment the chances of getting a job as a chef are good due to shortages of qualified workers.

The qualifications to be a Chef

To become a chef you will need:

• Two - Three years, on the job apprenticeship.
  
  
• A 1 year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Cookery - Level 3
  
  
• A 1 year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) - Level 4
  
  

Useful experience

• Being a Kitchen hand
  
  
• Learning techniques from a Chef
  
  
• Hospitality experience
  
  
• Catering experience
  
  
• Bakery work
  
  

You will also need a good sense of taste and smell.
Chefs need good strength, fitness & stamina to carry heavy items, such as bulk ingredients,
and spending long hours on your feet.

As a Chef, you will

• prepare and cook food according to customer’s orders
  
  
• arrange food on plates
  
  
• design, plan and price menus
  
  
• train and supervise staff
  
  
• keep work areas clean and tidy, and keep to health and safety standards
  
  
• order food supplies and cooking equipment
  
  
• keep records of supplies
  
  

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• Skills and Knowledge
  
  
• 
  
  
  

• food preparation, cooking and food presentation skills
  
  
• knowledge of budgeting, stock management, and how to price and set up a menu
  
  
• knowledge of new developments in food nutrition, food technology and cooking methods.
  
  

Working Conditions

• usually work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and may be on call
  
  
• work in a factory, hospital or school cafeterias, restaurants, cafes, pubs and rest homes
  
  
• work in kitchens in conditions that can be hot, noisy and stressful because,
  
  

food must be prepared quickly and to high standards

• sometimes travel to food festivals and events, or to attend cooking competitions.
  
  

Wages

• Apprentice chefs would earn a minimum wage of  $37.000 a year
  
  
• Junior chefs usually earn $37.000 to $48.000 a year
  
  
• Line cooks usually earn $48.000 to $58.000 a year
  
  
• Sous Chefs usually earn $55.000 to 65.000 a year
  
  
• Head/Executive chefs can earn $65.000 to $100.000