INTRODUCTION
Be a World Class Chef
Chefs are responsible for preparing food using a variety of cooking techniques. In large kitchens they will normally work as part of a team responsible for one particular area, such as bread and pastries, or vegetables. The head chef, who may also be known as the executive chef or the 'maitre de cuisine', is responsible for running the entire kitchen.
Your main duties as a chef would include:
Planning menus
HACCP standards
Managing the budget
Organizing staff
Monitoring and maintaining the quality of the food produced in the kitchen
Making sure the kitchen works within relevant hygiene, health and safety guidelines.
You would usually start as a trainee commis (or 'commis' chef), spending time in each area of the kitchen, gaining a range of culinary skills and techniques, and learning how to look after kitchen equipment and utensils.
With experience, you could progress to section chef (or 'chef de partie') and be in charge of running an area of the kitchen. The next step would be sous chef (or assistant chef), which would involve using your experience of each section of the kitchen, and running the entire kitchen on behalf of the head chef when needed.
In smaller kitchens, you could also be responsible for cleaning the kitchen and serving customers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may not need any specific academic qualifications to start work as a trainee (commis) chef. However, some employers will prefer you to have a good standard of general education, possibly including subjects like English, math, and catering (or hospitality and catering).
Another way to prepare for this work would be to take a course that combines classroom-based study with practical experience and work placements, such as:
Diploma in Professional Cookery
Diploma in Hospitality, or Hospitality Supervision
Advance in Professional Cookery
Degree in Culinary Arts Management.
Degree in Kitchen Management
Check with colleges or universities for course entry requirements
The career of a chef has become really professional. It offers outstanding job opportunities. There is increasing worldwide demand for Filipino European trained chefs.
Any person who likes cooking - and is willing to work hard for high rewards - is well-advised to consider becoming a chef. I strongly advise young people with an interest in cooking to contact a hotel or restaurant to ask if they can provide a week or two of work experience.
It is important to be proactive and persistent if you decide to become a chef. This website contains basic information. But industry recruits need to become well-informed about the industry, and to start networking and building contacts as early as possible. Browsing websites is a good way to start.
People with careers in hospitality and tourism often say "The industry has been good to me." With continuing growth expected, the rewards and opportunities for Filipino chefs will surely continue. Commercial cookery needs increasing numbers of committed and enthusiastic people to capitalise on the reputation that has been achieved in recent decades.