The Culinary and Bakery arts is a creative activity much like a writer, artist, musician or any other creative profession, you have to live and breathe what you do.

No one ever said that being a chef was going to be easy. However, what a rewarding career it is. Treating people with a meal to remember is one of the most satisfying feelings one can have!

Anyone who loves and enjoys cooking has probably thought about what it might be like to work as a high- end Chef. And let’s just be honest, many of us have pretended to be a master chef while cooking a meal at our respective kitchens. The actuality requires countless hours of hard work and a bit of innovation.

There is no strict education or training program to become a chef. But, the pressure of consistent creativity and striving to always stay ahead of the pack is a must. So, let’s take a look at some of the courses and duration to supercharge your career and enhance your cooking skills as a professional chef.

The Culinary and Bakery arts is a creative activity much like a writer, artist, musician or any other creative profession, you have to live and breathe what you do. Any job with creativity is about much more than you do in the kitchen/studio/dance – It’s about who you are. If you want to become a chef then be prepared to dedicate your time and energy in this roadmap of success.

Eligibility to become a Chef

The most common misconception is that if you do any bakery & culinary course, you graduate as a chef. No!

To pursue a career as a chef, obtaining a degree in this field is a must. An individual interested in this career option has a wide range of courses offered by many bakery & culinary institutes across the country. In India, there are a number of institutes like Institute of Bakery & Culinary Art, Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts that offers various part time and full time programs but among them, Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts is most popular among millennials.

Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts provides Diploma & Advance Diploma programs to those who want to learn professional cooking and a certificate to those who are interested in Part-time courses. The main USP of these courses lies in the opportunities that they provide. Additionally, all the chefs in the academy have earlier worked with leading hotel brands like Oberoi, Taj, ITC, etc. They have also won/ represented the academy and country in various national and international competitions.

Scope & Career Prospects

An ambition is the key for your success and an individual may get many opportunities, but the suitable thing he will have to do is identify the right one at the right time to shine.

In India, outstanding growth has been seen in the culinary industry and this has brought an increase in the demand of professional chefs.

If you get formal education or a part time certificate course as a chef, you can multiply your employment prospects in different catering fields. Some of the positions in which you can find job after the completion of education include:

·         Recipe book writer

·         Base kitchen caterer

·         Cookery show host

·         Cuisine Ship caterer/ Railways or Airlines Caterer

·         Event/Wedding caterer

·         Deputy Chef

·         Chief Chef

·         Pub Manager

As far as salary is concerned, it depends on various aspects like confidence, specializations, experience, expertise and personal skills. Another variable that determines your salary package is the place in which you work. However, newcomers can make around Rs 15, 000 per month.

Once you gain some expertise, you can expect to take home somewhere between Rs 50,000 to 60,000. Even, executive chefs or head chefs are making between Rs 1 lakh to 2 lakhs per month.

Tips for becoming the king of food

·         Being a chef is a lively, vibrant, and exciting Job.

·         You see your creation and Ideas daily.

·         You keep improving with feedback.

·         It also opens the doors of opportunities to travel.

·         You not only feed people but create a mesmerizing experience for them.

·         You earn respect and sometimes celebrity-like status.

·         There’s a lot of physical work.

·         Last but not the least, on average; a chef has to work a minimum of 40 – 50 hours a week.

Founder of Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts, Chef Niklesh Sharma Says, “Chef as a career has a huge scope worldwide. With the growing culture of hotels and restaurants, people are increasingly interested in exploring a variety of cuisines and delicacies at different lounges and cafes. The trend of sharing stories on social media has further driven the growth of the industry. Today, a large number of people are exploring opportunities to be a social media influencer, food blogger and vlogger.”

Summing it all up

All careers are full of opportunities. It is important for all of us to choose whatever feels right to us. Also, one should never compromise with your career under peer pressure.

When it is about your career, Research as much as you can. Follow your dream and success will be yours.