Anyone who loves food – not just eating it, but making it – has probably considered a career as a chef, a caterer or someone else who works in kitchens. Some people decide that the career path isn’t for them, particularly as it’s one that often involves a lot of high-pressure workplaces. However, many people do want to try and make a career out of their passion for cooking. For some people, that might mean working in small mom-and-pop establishments. For others, it could be working their way up to fine dining restaurants or even opening their own business. If you want to work in kitchens, here are some things to consider.

Catering College or Work Your Way Up?

If you’re thinking of becoming a chef, there are two main ways to get where you want to be. The first is to get a formal education by going to a culinary school. Your other option is to start from the bottom and work your way through the different kitchen positions. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Going to culinary school can mean you have all the technical skills you need, but once you’ve graduated, you might feel you lack real-world experience. Starting from the bottom, often as a dishwasher or kitchen porter, means you get plenty of experience, but it can take you a long time to get where you want to be.

The Challenges of Working in Kitchens

Before you start your career in the hospitality industry, you should consider some of the challenges that come with working in kitchens. One major thing to think about is the high-pressure environment of a professional kitchen. When they say “if you can’t handle the heat,” they’re not just talking about the physical temperature of a kitchen. You need to be able to handle long hours, tight deadlines and high expectations. Another concern is safety. Kitchens can be dangerous places to work, and there’s a risk of burn injuries at work, knife accidents, and more. Health and safety training is a huge part of learning to work in a kitchen. You need to know everything from how to handle a knife to how to store food properly.

The Importance of Connections

Who you know is important in any industry, but working in restaurants and other food and drink businesses, it can be even more important. If you want to go far, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to find a mentor. This is often someone you’ll meet at work, or perhaps at school. They can teach you valuable things and perhaps help you open doors in the future.

Developing an Area of Focus

Many people choose an area to focus on as they develop their career. This might be a type of cuisine or food, such as desserts or Indian food. Or you might choose to work in a particular area of hospitality or catering, which could be restaurants, private events, or even catering for private households and individuals.

A career as a chef can be exciting, but it’s also very demanding. You need to be sure you can handle it.