How to Train a Chef: Chef Training Program (Free Manual Template)

Chefs are the backbone of restaurants. There’s always demand for chef positions, and the field is expected to grow by five percent until 2032, far more than the average for similar jobs. 

But working in a restaurant kitchen is very different from working at home. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires proper training to keep up. This includes basic kitchen skills and additional abilities specific to your restaurant and its menu. 

Well-trained staff are happier at work, and constant training keeps even millennials engaged. When aspiring chefs are trained properly, restaurants see less turnover and more stability in their working environment. It’s also important for more experienced chefs to continue their training in order to keep their skills as sharp as their knives.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about chef training. I’ll cover the best training programs for new chefs, the skills required as part of the job, and how to apply for chef positions. I’ll also discuss hiring and training tips that restaurant managers can use to recruit the best chefs.

What’s in This Guide?

• Best Chef Training Programs

• Chef Job Skills

• Types of Training

• Applying for Chef Jobs

• How to Hire Top Chefs

• Conclusion & FAQs

Best Chef Training Programs

To help you find the best training program and get you on your way to becoming a professional chef, we’ve outlined some of the best culinary schools and online training courses below. 

Formal Chef Training Programs

Culinary arts training can be acquired through formal education programs. The best chefs often have a culinary arts degree, which equips them with the right training and experience to create exquisite dishes in real-world establishments. Here are some of the best formal chef training programs:

• Culinary Institute of America: This organization is the oldest and best-known culinary school in the United States. Located in Hyde Park, New York (though it also has locations in California, Texas, and Singapore), it offers a range of specialty programs and degrees, including internships, that last from 30 weeks to four years. Tuition is $20,000 a semester, but many students receive scholarships or other financial aid.

• Le Cordon Bleu: A world-renowned culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu offers the best training a chef can get. Choose from courses like culinary arts, gourmet cooking, and world cuisines in locations all around the globe. If relocating isn’t your thing, the institution also offers equally insightful online courses — you just won’t get the practical experience.

Online Chef Training

Online training programs provide a great opportunity to learn chef skills from the comfort of your own home. You can follow along by cooking in your own kitchen, but you may not always get to ask questions while you cook. Here are the two best online chef courses:

• Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts: One of the most popular online cooking schools is the The curriculum is entirely online, though students are required to participate in in-person externships. The program takes 60 weeks - with between 15 and 22 hours per week - and the full cost of the diploma program is $21,500.

• Chef Academy London: Based in London but set entirely online, this virtual training course spares no expense. It’s a 12-month program covering everything about being a chef, and you’ll receive a full diploma after an assessment at the end. Choose between the professional chef and the Michelin star course to learn top-tier chef skills.

Job Skills Developed in Chef Training

Whether you’re looking to break into the food industry as a line cook or you’re eager to be promoted to an executive chef role, you need a range of hard and soft skills to do your job well. In this section, I’ll highlight the main basic and advanced skills most chefs need to thrive.

Basic Chef Skills

Chef training teaches you the basic skills required to get started in the kitchen, such as using the various types of chef knives, basic cooking techniques, and general food safety. Soft skills like communication and customer service are also necessary, even though chefs work in the back of the house. Here’s a list of basic chef skills you’ll learn through training:

• Equipment Handling: Chefs need to know how to handle restaurant equipment, including utensils like sieves, gas cookers, knives, and specialist kit. During chef training, you’ll learn all about the proper use of kitchen equipment and how to wield knives safely.

• Basic Cooking: Naturally, chefs must know how to cook. A big part of culinary training includes learning about cooking techniques, the properties of meats and vegetables, and food and beverage pairings.

• Food Safety: A successful chef must know how to prepare food safely. No matter whether you’re a pastry chef or a personal chef, you must abide by the rules and regulations of kitchen safety to ensure you produce meals to a high standard.

• Communication: Chefs must have good communication skills to ensure your restaurant runs smoothly. Clear and concise communication, as well as active listening skills, are essential in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Advanced Chef Skills 

Advanced training will be necessary if you decide to specialize in a particular aspect of cooking, like learning how to be a pitmaster or a pastry chef. If you eventually plan to open your own restaurant, you’ll need training in management and financial skills to run the business successfully.

If you’re serious about being a chef, you should learn the following advanced skills:

• People Management: Learning hospitality management skills can propel your career and set you on the path to a promotion. Anyone looking to advance up to head chef roles should invest in management courses or training.

• Specialized Cooking: The more advanced your cooking skills are, the higher you’ll soar in the restaurant industry. Learn how to cook specialized meals, such as those from different cultures and unique parts of the world, or experiment with creative sauce blends and unique cooking techniques.

• Financial & Business Skills: When you reach a high enough level, you may be asked to take over more significant restaurant responsibilities, like bookkeeping and finances. As a result, advanced chefs should have training in business and financial skills.

Extra training is beneficial to a chef’s career, whether it’s just the beginning of their culinary journey or they’ve been working in the restaurant industry for a decade. New skills and professional certifications show commitment to the profession, and they will be beneficial if you’re looking to move up to a higher level or a management position or to run your own kitchen.

Types of Chef Training

The majority of chef training is hands-on, either through a formal education course or on-the-job experience, That said, most chefs choose to supplement their practical training with online classes and qualifications. Read on for more information about each type of chef training.

On-The-Job Chef Training 

Many chefs, including myself, learn on the job by starting at a low-level position in the kitchen, like dishwasher or prep cook, and working their way up. Alternatively, wannabe chefs can arrange for unpaid training, called a stage, in a restaurant kitchen for a month or two. 

Along the way, they’ll get a chance to observe more experienced chefs at work and learn how the kitchen brigade system works. The advantage of on-the-job training is that you’ll get practical experience that many culinary schools aren’t able to simulate, and you'll earn money at the same time. 

As you move from kitchen to kitchen, you’ll get a wide range of experience. However, you’ll only be able to learn as much as your coworkers have time to teach you, and it may be harder to move up without formal training or certifications.

Formal Chef Training Programs

There are many culinary schools and training programs for aspiring chefs. These vary widely in terms of time and cost, ranging from a few weeks to several years. The advantage of attending such a program is that it gives you formal and systematic training in all chef skills, from slicing a potato to preparing and serving a multicourse banquet. You’ll also get training in the less glamorous aspects of cooking, like health and safety, from top culinary professionals.

Once you graduate, you’ll have a diploma or a certification, and many culinary schools have alumni networks that can help graduates find jobs. There are many benefits to formal training programs, but the downsides are that they can be quite expensive and far from home, requiring you to relocate.

Online Chef Training 

Online training allows you to learn at your own pace in your own home without having to pick up and move or leave your current job. These programs also often cost less than in-person classroom training, though you’ll still have access to the same caliber of instructors. Depending on the program, you may even be taught by a celebrity chef. 

The disadvantage to these programs is that they provide very little hands-on instruction in the kitchen. Instead, you’ll be taught a skill and left on your own to practice, and you may not get to ask questions as you practice.

Using Your Chef Training to Apply for Jobs

Chef training can boost your stock and make you more desirable for restaurants. Applying for chef jobs is a lot easier once you have the relevant skills and qualifications that match the chef job descriptions. Here are three ways you can use your chef training to apply for open positions:

1. Use Your Network: Some training and certification programs provide resources for graduates to find jobs once they have their diplomas in hand. They also provide opportunities to network and meet people in the food industry. Use these newfound networks and contacts to search for open positions and look for work.

2. Improve Your Resume: Now that you’ve got some chef experience under your belt, you can put all your training courses and qualifications on your chef resume. Emphasize your training and list all your certifications on your resume to demonstrate your abilities to restaurants.

3. Leverage a Promotion: You may also use your extra training as leverage to get a promotion at your current workplace, like moving from line cook to sous chef. More advanced training, like management skills, can quickly earn you promotions through the ranks at your establishment.

When looking for jobs, the three best ways to find open positions are to look at online job boards, ask in restaurants, and utilize your network of contacts. Once you’re trained, it should be much easier to find a chef role that suits you.

How to Hire Top Chefs

Top chefs can be hard to find, so it’s important to know where to look and what skills to look for. But you don’t have to hire super-qualified chefs; you can simply train new restaurant employees to become well-versed in the skills and qualities you value most.

If you’re looking to add talented chefs to your restaurant roster, here’s what you can do:

1. Write an Employee Training Manual: A restaurant training manual will help you train your new chefs thoroughly, ensuring you remember to cover everything. It also enables you to create a smooth onboarding process and give the new hire the best chance of success in their new role.

2. Use Your Network: As a restaurant manager or owner, you’ll likely have an expansive network of contacts in the food industry. Ask around to see if anyone is looking for a job, or offer your vacant position to talented chefs at other establishments. Who knows, maybe you can tempt qualified chefs to join you with a deserved promotion.

3. Post Honest Job Descriptions: Writing clear and accurate job descriptions will help you find the right candidates for your open chef position. You’ll be able to attract the best talent and source qualified candidates who are the right fit for your restaurant.

Trained chefs make the best employees, as they often have the applicable skills and knowledge to cook well and run successful back-of-house operations.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a brand-new prep cook or a chef with years of experience, it’s always important to keep your skills sharp with chef training. Seeking out extra training opportunities also shows your bosses that you’re keen to improve your skills and are committed to a future in the restaurant industry.

Any successful chef needs to know how to use kitchen technology. At Toast, we provide high-tech back-of-house solutions so that chefs can work efficiently and comfortably. For instance, our kitchen display system eliminates the hassle of paper tickets and helps chefs track orders easily. To be the best chef you can be, it’s worth training in these types of technology - try Toast today.

FAQs

How do chefs get trained?

Chefs need rigorous training in cooking, food safety, and proper equipment use to be able to thrive in their positions. Most chefs are trained on the job, getting paid to hone their skills, but top chefs choose to supplement this practical training with formal education courses or online classes.

Can I teach myself to be a chef?

If you enjoy cooking and creating meals regularly, you might want to consider being a chef. Many chefs are self-taught in terms of cooking ability, as you can try out new recipes in your kitchen at home, but the top chefs also train in things like food safety and management via in-person or online courses.

Is it hard to learn to be a chef?

Becoming a chef takes a lot of hard work and dedication, just like with any other occupation. You’ll find chef training a lot easier if you enjoy cooking, but there are still times when your meals just aren’t tasting like you imagined or your sauces aren’t as thick as you hoped. But with persistence and commitment, you too can become a qualified chef.

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