WORK EXPERIENCE: KITCHEN
LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHEF
If you are passionate about cooking and thrive on the idea of working in a fast-paced environment, then a career as a chef might be right for you. In a hotel chefs can work on many different types of service so there is plenty of opportunity to learn. You could be up early with the breakfast brigade, preparing casual bites for the bar or room service, fine tuning fine dining dishes for the restaurant, or creating a feast for a banquet.
What are the opportunities for progression?
There is a structured career path in the kitchen which can take you from an entry-level Commis Chef (junior chef) position up to Executive Chef, the Head of Department who is responsible for the many different dining outlets in the hotel. Study is advisable and there are a number of courses and programmes available to help you progress your career, from full-time degrees like a BA in Culinary Arts to culinary apprenticeships that combine theory and skills learning in college with on-the-job training in the industry.
What can you expect during your work experience?
Work experience in a hotel will give you an insight into how professional kitchens work and by the end of the two weeks’ you’ll have a good idea about whether cheffing is the right career choice for you. You will learn mise-en-place (the practice of preparing ingredients for service) and you will be introduced to HACCP, the crucial food safety procedures that every chef must comply with. You will also find out how the different kitchen sections work together, such as fish, meat, pastry and so on.
If you love food and are curious about cheffing, then why not ask your local hotel if you can get some work experience in the kitchen? Click here to find a list of hotels participating in the Transition Year Work Experience Programme.
What’s it really like working as a chef?
Patrick Phillips and Linda Rogers share their stories.