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Becoming a Chef

Posted on July 23, 2015 , Comments Off on Becoming a Chef

What is Your Culinary Career?

An artist works in one or more mediums – paint, metal, wood, clay, glass, and even paper. The term “artist” is applied to many types of people, too – athletes, musicians, and actors.

A chef also is an artist, only the medium is food, the canvas is a plate, and the studio is a busy kitchen. A chef is a culinary mastermind who deftly balances ingredients, flavours, textures, and appearance.  But unlike most artists, the chef also creates delectable masterpieces while working with (and against) the clock.

Born to Chef?

Some people seem born to cook.  They have an innate sense for blending foods and seasonings that tantalize the senses and gratify the appetite.   But being a gifted cook is not necessarily synonymous with being a gifted chef.  Let’s look at the difference between a cook and a chef:

  • Cook:  a person who knows, or is trained to a master level of food preparation, but usually takes direction from a chef.
  • Chef:  a person who is trained as a master of culinary forms.  The chef typically provides innovations to food preparation and presentation, and planning menus.

Not only must the chef be a culinary master, he or she is in charge of every other chef and food preparation and serving staff member in the kitchen.  The chef must be able to do some or all of the following:

  • Estimate food and labour costs.
  • Order food supplies.
  • Monitor the quality of preparation and presentation of all dishes.
  • Demonstrate/advise on techniques and cooking procedures.
  • Prepare and cook food.
  • Discuss food preparation issues with staff including dieticians, managers, kitchen and wait staff.
  • Select and train staff.
  • Oversee food preservation.

FireInTheKitchen

If You Can’t Stand the Fire…

The adage ends, “get out of the kitchen!”  Consider whether you have these characteristics and skills:

  • Creativity
  • High standards
  • Leadership skills
  • Ability to work in and tolerate a high-pressure environment
  • Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills
  • Discipline
  • Willingness to work long and flexible hours

 

Becoming a chef

Some future chefs will gravitate toward the growing hospitality and tourism industry, focusing on work in luxury hotels and upscale resort centres.  Others will seek opportunities in the corporate world as on-board chefs or as a personal chef to individual clients. The possibilities are endless…

If you’re interested in becoming a chef, it’s a good idea to peruse restaurant job advertisements.  You will notice that many of them require certification, an apprenticeship, and experience.  Having some restaurant or other food preparation is a good start to your culinary career but individuals intent on building a career as a chef will likely need to completing studies and certification from a training organisation.

Australia is fortunate to have excellent culinary and pastry arts institutes, chef training programs, and restaurant management schools.  Future chefs not only study the culinary arts but also hospitality management curriculums.  Management courses can help make the chef’s education more complete by learning the business and management principles used throughout the food industry.

 

Climbing the Culinary Ladder or Specializing

Chef: an abbreviation of the French term chef de cuisine – chief, or head of the kitchen.

The restaurant kitchen typically is structured as a strict hierarchy with the chef as the leader. Modelled after the French Brigade system, this system is instituted to make every function of the kitchen run as smoothly as possible.

There are 10 primary stations staffed by chefs at various skills levels. In some restaurants, a single chef may be responsible for more than one station.

  • Saucier: the sauce chef (frequently the highest chef level, reporting to the head chef or sous-chef).
  • Poissonnier: the fish chef.
  • Rotisseur: the roast chef.
  • Grillardin: the grill chef.
  • Friturier: the fry cook.
  • Entremetier: the vegetable chef.
  • Potager and legumier: the potager chef makes the soups and the legumier is in charge of preparing the vegetable dishes.
  • Tournant: the all-purpose chef who moves from station to station, assisting with any tasks and stepping into another station as workload or absence demand. The tournant must have an extensive knowledge of each other station.
  • Garde manger: the pantry chef, in charge of most of the menu’s cold dishes.
  • Boucher: prepares all meat and poultry for delivery to their respective preparation stations.
  • Patissier: the pastry chef.

Any of these chef levels can be a career in itself. Advanced Culinary study is the perfect time to explore each area and perhaps discover a passion for a more specific aspect of cheffing.

But one thing is most likely during your studies and early career – you probably will spend a lot of time doing many different jobs, from the most menial food preparation tasks to menu planning.

Becoma-a-Chef-Pics-Ninnno-Zoccalli

 

Career Opportunities Are Growing

Now may be the best time in Australia to train as a chef. The restaurant industry grew by 3.17% in 2013. There currently are more than 75,000 chefs working in Australia’s restaurants, pubs, and resorts. Now is the time to define your culinary goals if you wish to join the ranks of in-demand chefs or become a future supernova of the culinary world.

The Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) stated in the 4th quarter of 2013 that approximately 550,000 people in the food and beverage industry generated 4 percent of Australia’s GDP. The need for qualified chefs continues to grow proportionally with Australia’s tourism industry.

Another influence on the demand for more chefs is the public’s expanding awareness of food as an experience rather than “it tastes good or it doesn’t” fuel. The increasingly popular television cooking shows have captured an avid audience of viewers who now demand more of their dining experiences. (Top Chef, Chopped, and Master Chef also have spawned chef groupies who follow their favourite chefs from restaurant to restaurant!)

If you want additional career inspiration, consider these recent employment findings:

  • The restaurant industry grew 3.1% between 2013 – 2014
  • Approximately 80.9% of employed chefs work fulltime.
  • Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are expected to experience about a 60% skills shortage in chefs in 2015.
  • 80% of employers expect chef applicants to have formal qualifications.
  • As of December 2014, the average salary for a head chef in Australia was AU$57,502 per year.

Few other industries offer as many career opportunities in as many diverse settings as the food industry. Chefs are needed not only in restaurants but also in healthcare, academic centres, military service, and niche food services.

Whether you are destined to be the culinary supernova, an iconic neighbourhood restaurant chef, or the darling of the pastry specialty world, a wonderful opportunity is waiting for you in Australia. Interested – apply online today.

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Alanah KerecBecoming a Chef

“Becoming a chef is like getting a passport to travel the world – the shortage is not unique to Australia.”

Posted on April 13, 2015 , Comments Off on “Becoming a chef is like getting a passport to travel the world – the shortage is not unique to Australia.”

Read the full article from The Daily Telegraph, to find out more about the pros and cons of becoming a chef.

Chef Zac Ahrens says being a chef suits those who don’t want to work in an office…
“It’s a great career, it can take you places and it’s fun! … You get to eat nice food.”

If you are interested in starting your career as a chef, check out HTN’s ASPIRE – an entry level program that can kick start your career as a chef.

 

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Alanah Kerec“Becoming a chef is like getting a passport to travel the world – the shortage is not unique to Australia.”

Telegraph reports: CHEFS ARE A RARE BREAD

Posted on March 24, 2015 , Comments Off on Telegraph reports: CHEFS ARE A RARE BREAD

Niel Keene from Daily Telegraph reports on shortage of chefs in NSW:

Restaurant and Catering Australia said yesterday that NSW needed an extra 2500 chefs, from apprentices all the way up to the top of the career ladder, to cater for rising demand.”

If you’d like to kick start your career as a Chef, check out ASPIRE. A new HTN course that guarantees industry placement at the completion of 8 week training period.

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Alanah KerecTelegraph reports: CHEFS ARE A RARE BREAD

ASPIRE program kicks off on 7th Apr – Don’t miss out on a career!

Posted on March 23, 2015 , Comments Off on ASPIRE program kicks off on 7th Apr – Don’t miss out on a career!

Read the GoHospitality article about this 8wk preparatory program, that includes theory and face-to-face practical components followed by an industry placement. A perfect way to gain entry into the world of cooking!

Check out ASPIRE details and apply today (no obligation).

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Alanah KerecASPIRE program kicks off on 7th Apr – Don’t miss out on a career!

HTN Launches New Aspire Program

Posted on March 1, 2015 , Comments Off on HTN Launches New Aspire Program

HTN is delighted to announce Aspire – a new program allowing young people to realise their dreams of becoming professional chefs.

Aspire is a high-end preparatory program in commercial cookery. It will commence on Tuesday 7th April at William Angliss Institute.

This intensive eight-week course is designed for anyone who wants to get a start in the culinary profession, and who wants to take their skills to the highest level. The course combines face-to-face learning with on-the-job training.

Students will not only get the very best of cookery training, but after successfully completing the course, will be guaranteed an apprenticeship in one of Australia’s best kitchens*.

Aspire places a priority on exceptional technical skills. It will be an ideal way to get to the first rung in this rewarding industry.

During the eight-week course, there will be three days of practical tuition each week and two days of work placement. Tuition will be provided by TAFE NSW as well as the William Angliss Institute.

There will be master classes and guest lectures from leading chefs including Nino Zoccali from The Restaurant Pendolino, and Colin Barker from The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay.

There will be a media master class with Adrian Richardson from the Lifestyle Food Channel.

Participants will have access to an extensive library of resources and training videos through the new HTN Skills Board.

Each student will have their own HTN personal mentor for the duration of the program. They will be able to utilise the HTN ePortfolio which enables apprentices to build an interactive CV and to showcase their skills and work.

After completing the eight-week Aspire course, students will hold the accreditation towards a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (Basic Cookery).

At the end of the program, they will be career-ready, and will have the opportunity to progress to an apprenticeship with HTN Professional or HTN Executive (recognised for prior learning).

As Australia’s leading group employer of culinary and food service apprentices, HTN is proud to be working with leading chefs, restaurants, clubs and training providers on the Aspire program.  This is a real opportunity for aspiring chefs to set themselves up for a great career.

For more information, take a look at the Aspire Program page where you can find more information and application details.

A career as a professional chef is both fulfilling and rewarding, with real opportunity for career advancement, travel, and job satisfaction.

I sincerely hope that this may be the chance to help make young people’s vision a reality.

Michael Bennett

Chief Executive Officer, HTN

*Conditions Apply


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Alanah KerecHTN Launches New Aspire Program