Passion is the key skill to become a successful chef. However, there are formal and informal ways to be a trained chef in India. Know how to become a chef?
How to become a chef in India? There are numerous courses to become a chef. First, people can apply for culinary courses to master the art of cooking. The chef is the most important member of a restaurant; a chef holds power to make or break a food enterprise. Chefs are the most skilled and experienced cooks in a professional kitchen. Their job is to prepare more signature dishes, supervise and train the kitchen staff, and keep a check on the kitchen supplies.
How to Become a Trained Chef?
Being a chef requires a lot of practice and dedication. There are two ways to become a chef, which include formal and informal ways. The informal way is to self-learn, which depends on the passion one possesses. Cook for yourself or your family, assist in restaurants and get exposure to various dishes. In contrast, the formal involves getting certification. A variety of courses in culinary arts are available for students interested in becoming a chef.
Below are the steps to become a trained chef in India.
- Step 1: Satisfy the Eligibility Criteria
- Step 2: Get Internship or Train at Home
- Step 3: Get Certification and Apply for Entry-level Positions
- Step 4: Develop Required Skills and Be Aware of Responsibilities
Step 1: Satisfy the Eligibility Criteria
Though culinary school isn't the basic requirement to become a trained chef in India, most candidates prefer culinary schools. Most culinary programs focus on nutrition, food preparation techniques following the sanitary guidelines, pastry-making techniques, and other basic cookery knowledge.
The basic requirements for pursuing a course in culinary arts are as follows.
- A potential candidate must pass the 10+2 examination from the recognized education board for pursuing a diploma course.
- To pursue an undergraduate program in culinary arts, a candidate needs to pass 12th grade with no specific disciplines with an average of 50% to 60%. However, the cutoff varies with institutions. While pursuing a course, a candidate will also learn skills such as housekeeping and general management. Candidates will benefit from a course that offers a specialization such as baking.
- The postgraduate program, which spans two to three years, requires a candidate who must have completed graduation in the respective subjects.
Step 2: Get Internship or Train at Home
During the culinary program, learn the skills and practice yourself at home every day. Host the events like volunteering to cook for parties or for your family to get more practice. Try online tutorials or cookbooks and come up with new recipes.
Finding internships opens up doors to the various job opportunities of their choice. Develop a portfolio or resume highlighting your cooking interests & skills and reach out to the local restaurants or chefs for a short-term internship program. Besides, the culinary schools also have relationships with local restaurants that offer internships for their students.
Step 3: Get Certification and Apply for Entry-level Positions
Generally, it is not mandatory to get certified to be a chef. However, if one might be interested in the specialization, then one can pursue a certification course. In addition, if one is trained in a specific cuisine, then certification will definitely strengthen their resume.
After internships and volunteering, apply for entry-level positions to begin the restaurant career. Send resume, cover letter, and reference letter if necessary to local restaurants or build a plan to set your restaurant.
Step 4: Develop Required Skills and Be Aware of Responsibilities
A chef is much more than just a cook; they research and experiment to create innovative recipes and dishes. They also create exotic dishes that fit a king's banquet. Nowadays, chefs are in high demand all over the world.
To be successful as a chef, one must be consistently learning the required skills, looking for new positions, and applying for jobs that help one reach their goal of becoming a chef.
Courses in Culinary Arts
There are various courses for Culinary arts that one can take up, who are planning to become a chef. However, one who really wants to build their career in this field can go for any of the courses mentioned below based on their area of interest.
Here is the list of courses for students who are looking forward to becoming a chef.
- BA (Honors) Culinary Arts
- Bachelor of Hotel Management
- Diploma in Food and Beverage Industry
- Post Graduate Diploma in Culinary Arts
BA (Honors) Culinary Arts
BA (Honors) culinary arts is an undergraduate course in hotel management. The course strongly focuses on management and many elements taught in the kitchen and restaurant environment. The program is ideal for those who want to graduate with the relevant skills to progress into senior roles within kitchen management, food and beverage management, and an extensive range of hospitality and other food-related careers.
The management program is designed in such a manner that it will be providing all operational, technical, and managerial skills that are required to develop within the culinary field. The course is for three years.
One can get various jobs and can be appointed as,
- Food & Beverage Service Trainer
- Food Stylist
- Executive Pastry Chef
- Assistant Manager
Bachelor of Hotel Management
Bachelor of hotel management, commonly known as BHM, is an undergraduate course that offers extensive knowledge in hotel management and food technology fundamentals. Some colleges teach BHM for 3 years, while the others teach it for 4 years. The course aims at teaching students the very details of hotel management in detail.
The course curriculum includes topics like,
- Methods of Cooking
- Food Commodities
- Food and Beverage Services
- Control Methods
- Restaurant Planning
- Oral Skills
- Computer Applications
- Hotel Accounting
Hotel management teaches all the phases of the hospitality industry. BHM courses help in developing personal skills as an excellent skill is a must in this career path. Apart from all these, the BHM course tells students about aspects such as food safety, hygiene, and so on. There are so many skills that a person should possess when they consider pursuing BHM.
They are as follows,
- Should be well-disciplined
- Good listener
- Creative
- Polite attitude
- Ability to tackle situations
- Willingness to work long and many more
Diploma in Food and Beverage Industry
The diploma in Food and Beverage Industry is a Diploma course that takes a half year to 1 year. The individuals who have finished 10+2 are qualified to apply to this course. This course contains two noteworthy papers of practice. The admission procedure of the candidates may incorporate their performance in the entrance tests that are explicit to Institutions and may change starting from one institution to another.
A diploma in Food and Beverage Services is a popular career choice for candidates possessing excellent communication skills and good knowledge of hotel administration so that clients can be served better. The average salary of diploma holders in the food and beverage industry that a person can expect is around INR 15,000 to INR 50,000 per month.
Post Graduate Diploma in Culinary Arts
Post Graduate Diploma in Culinary Arts is a one-year full-time course offered by several top-notch culinary schools in India to become a chef. The program prepares the students for a career in the Food & Beverage Production area of the Hospitality Industry, emphasizing culinary arts. In addition, it ensures to equip the student with the skills required to become a food & beverage production professional.
This program comprises classic European cooking methods, stocks, cuts, etc., which are being taught to the students and food safety, hygiene, and nutrition in preparation for the students' industry training placement. Postgraduate diploma in culinary arts designed in such a way that all are wishing to build their career into the culinary sector, it combines elements of food preparation skills with advanced techniques and creativity.
Different Roles of Chefs
Anyone who enjoys cooking has at least once considered pursuing a career as a professional chef or thought of what it might be like to work as a high-end chef. However, many chefs enter the profession through entry-level positions and work their way up with training and experience; some complete some postsecondary education programs in the culinary arts.
However, those who intend to reach the pinnacle of their career could be well served by attending a culinary school. After this course, there are many career opportunities, such as food service managers, waiters or waitresses, chefs, and so on.
Here is the list of different types of chef roles in an Indian restaurant.
Pastry Chef
Pastry chefs specialize in preparing, decorating, and presenting various pastries, desserts, and different varieties of bread. Besides, they help in designing the menu and set prices for the dessert section.
The average salary offered for the pastry chef is INR 4.05 Lakh per annum. The minimum salary of a pastry chef is INR 1.16 Lakh per annum, and the maximum salary of a pastry chef is INR 10 Lakh per annum.
Bakers Chef
Bakers chefs are specialized in baking, decorating, and crafting baked foods by using the right ingredients at the right time. Besides, they also maintain the quality standards and make attractive baked dishes.
The average salary offered for the Bakers chef is INR 3 Lakh per annum. The minimum salary of a Bakers chef is INR 1.51 Lakh per annum, and the maximum salary of a Bakers chef is INR 7.15 Lakh per annum.
Executive Chef
The executive chef is the head chef, who holds the responsibility to run the kitchen single-handedly. Besides, they are also responsible for creating menus for restaurants, including the prices of each dish on the menu.
The average salary offered for the Executive chef is INR 7.83 Lakh per annum. The minimum salary of an Executive chef is INR 2.48 Lakh per annum, and the maximum salary of an Executive chef is INR 20 Lakh per annum.
Sous Chef
Sous chefs are alternative heads in the absence of head chefs. They report directly to the head chefs and are responsible for conveying instructions to cooks. Based on the restaurant, sous chef roles vary, ranging from handling different branches within the kitchen.
The average salary offered for the Sous chef is INR 4.93 Lakh per annum. The minimum salary of a Sous chef is INR 2.33 Lakh per annum, and the maximum salary of a Sous chef is INR 10 Lakh per annum.
It is important to know about the skills required, scope in the industry, and salary before choosing a career as a chef.
Skills Required for a Chef
Chefs are the one who directs their cooking staff and takes all the decisions regarding food production. Therefore, there is a requirement of both hard skills and soft skills that need to be performed by chefs. To be a great chef, skills should be performed very effectively and should be able to command the kitchen.
A chef needs to be precise, every ingredient and measurement must be exact and also have an eye for detail such as,
- Presentation
- Quality of Food
- Measuring
- Heat Control and so on
A good chef needs to possess or acquire the following skills.
- Hygiene
- Organizational Skills
- Confidence
- Aptitude
- Passion for Food
- An intense sense of Smell and Taste
- Intuition
- Perfectionist
- Innovator
- Memory
Salary of a Chef
The salary of a chef is always dependent upon the skills they perform and how best they can give. There is a wide scope in this field if people choose to become a chef. A chef will be getting a lot of opportunities in this field. The pay of a chef absolutely relies upon their skills and experience.
A fresher can procure more than INR 2.92 lakhs per annum in any three-star hotel. With proper skills and adequate experience, one can also get more than INR 8 Lakhs per annum. The subordinate chef earns somewhere around INR 4.93 Lakhs per annum in any hotel or eatery. The sky's the limit for an executive chef.
Below are the base salaries of the Head Chef, taken from Payscale, India.
| Head Chef | Salary (Per Annum) |
| Base Salary | INR 3.01 Lakh |
| Average Salary | INR 6.66 Lakh |
| Maximum Salary | INR 30 Lakh |
Below is the average base salary of different cooks in restaurants, taken from Payscale India.
| Different Cooks in Restaurants | Salary (Per Annum) |
| Line Cook | INR 1.96 Lakh |
| Prep Cook | INR 4 Lakh |
| Relief Cook | INR 2.39 Lakh |
| Short Order Cook | INR 3.45 Lakh |
| Fish Cook | INR 2.55 Lakh |
| Fry Cook | INR 2.64 Lakh |
| Grill Cook | INR 1 Lakh |
| Pantry Cook | INR 4.25 Lakh |
| Vegetable Cook | INR 2.92 Lakh |
Top Colleges for Culinary Arts in India
Culinary colleges offer undergraduate, diploma, or certification courses. The college offers students with general education classes on culinary arts and well-rounded management.
Below are the top colleges for culinary arts in India.
Institute of Hotel Management (IHM)
There are 21 IHMs all around the country that the National Council regulates for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT).
Institute of Hotel Management (The Taj Group of Hotels)
Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad was a result of Maulana Azad Educational Trust and Taj Group joining their forces Dr.Zakaria and the Taj were dedicated to creating a world-class centre in hospitality education, with the technical assistance of India's largest hotel chain, with over a century's experience in hoteliers.
The Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Management
Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration was built up as a unit of the Dr.TMA Pai Foundation. In 1987, the establishment joined hands with Welcomgroup, the inn division of ITC Ltd., to set up WGSHA. The International Hotel Association, Paris, recognizes the training and advancement programs of WGSHA.
The Oberoi Group's Systematic Training and Education Programme (STEP)
STEP is one of the best culinary schools in India. Since its inception, STEP has always been ranked in the list of top culinary schools in India. The chain of hotels has the greatest faculties and the correct framework and conditions to give the correct exposure required to gaining abilities for being a good chef.
Culinary Academy of India (CAI)
CAI is affiliated with Osmania University, Hyderabad. The main objective of this premier institution is to provide aspiring chefs with a platform that is complete with all the necessary tools, equipment, facilities, and technology to become future chefs who are proud of cooking.
Scope of a Chef
After completing a diploma or the certificate course in Hotel Management, one can join a hotel as an intern or opt for an apprenticeship after 10+2 directly. A well-trained chef has numerous opportunities which are varied and fascinating. Inns/eateries, air catering, food processing enterprises, catering in confectioneries, and corporate catering all require experienced and well-trained chefs.
One can also venture into the zone of food writing/blogging like Ms.Tarla Dalal, or one can turn into a business person by setting up food chains. It is firmly connected with the travel industry, which is now on the rise.
