COOK up an exciting new career as a chef.
The hospitality sector is facing severe shortages with vacancies 48 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
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Trade body UK Hospitality says around ten per cent of head chef roles are currently vacant, rising to 21 per cent for production chefs.
In a bid to attract new staff, employers are overhauling their recruitment packages, with chef salaries rising by up to 20 per cent, and staff discounts jumping up to 60 per cent alongside enhanced annual bonuses, making a chef career the most attractive it has ever been.
The average chef’s salary now tops £28,000 and a head chef in a prestigious restaurant will take home more than double this amount.
Want a taste of what a new role could look like? Here’s what you need to know with Sun Jobs.
What’s good about working as a chef?
If you love food and cooking, it’s a creative career that allows you to follow your passions.
Contrary to popular belief, you will be able to find a job which suits your lifestyle as many chefs now work daytimes only in department store restaurants or workplace cafes.
It’s also a career which can fit your expectations. If you’re looking for a steady, lifelong job with a reasonable income, it can provide that.
Want to see your name up in lights and become famous? Follow the stellar career path of celeb chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, as a cooking career can cater to your ambitions.
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What skills will I need?
The key skill is a love of food but to be a really successful chef you need to be cool under pressure, organised and with great time management.
It’s also helpful to be a good team player and able to accept criticism with a growth mindset.
Occasionally you will get a customer who sends a dish back, so understanding and accepting customer requirements is useful too.
What training do chefs need?
There are no set academic or training requirements but most workplaces ask for four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4.
Most commonly, trainee chefs take an apprenticeship or college course combined with work experience.
Popular courses include the Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery, T Level in Catering or Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts.
Find out more at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/chef.
How do I find a job?
Most hospitality outlets will hire at entry level for attitude rather than experience.
If you can show willingness and show you want to learn then they can provide the training.
If you’re at school or college, speak to local restaurants about work experience.
If you’re older, consider trying a front-of-house job first such as waiting tables, or a kitchen porter role to see if you like the environment.
What is career progression like?
Chefs have a clear career progression making it easy to plan your next move.
Entry-level roles include kitchen porters who are responsible for unloading and storing deliveries and washing up, or food and beverage assistants who help with some basic food preparation.
Your next step is Commis Chef where you’ll learn different cooking techniques followed by Chef de Partie where you look after a specific section such as a Grill Chef, Pantry Chef, Butcher Chef, Fish Chef or Vegetable Chef.
Love cooking deserts? Then look at becoming a Pastry Chef.
If you want to progress into kitchen management, the Sous Chef is the next rung on the career ladder and puts you second in command to the Head Chef.
The top role is the Head Chef, where you’ll be responsible for staffing to budgeting and liaising with suppliers and devising new menus.
READY to reserve your new role? Here are the Sun Jobs top picks this week.
Sous Chef, Flat Iron, Cambridge
This is a top job with a top 100 company – get your teeth into it now!
The Job: Steakhouse Flat Iron – named one of the UK’s top 100 companies to work for – is hiring a Sous Chef to join the team in its Cambridge location.
What You’ll Do: As Sous Chef at Flat Iron, you’ll be part of a team that is passionate not just about food, but about providing a top-class customer service experience to everyone who steps foot through the restaurant doors.
You’ll report to the Head Chef to ensure that all food that leaves the Flat Iron kitchen reaches the highest of standards.
You’ll Need: As well as a passion for food and hospitality, you’ll have experience in a busy restaurant kitchen, enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and independent thought and willingness to share your ideas.
Apply Now: See further details of this Sous Chef role, along with other opportunities at Flat Iron, here.
Food & Beverage Assistant, The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham
Want a taster of the hospitality industry? Here’s a fabulous entry-level role.
The Job: The Greenway Hotel & Spa is looking for a hardworking and friendly Food & Beverage Assistant to join its team in Cheltenham.
What You’ll Do: The Food & Beverage Assistant will report to Senior General Manager, Dean Gunston, and his team of consummate professionals, with complete training programmes available, from apprenticeships upwards.
You’ll Need: The successful applicant to this position will be a team player who values honesty, hard work and enthusiasm in their approach to teamwork and customer service.
They will be passionate about the hospitality industry, and while experience in the F&B space is desirable, full training can be provided.
Apply Now: For more on this Food & Beverage Assistant role, and other current vacancies at The Greenway Hotel & Spa, click here.
Chef De Partie, Soho House & Co, London
Venues don’t come more prestigious than Soho House, so here’s your chance to start cooking for A-list clients.
The Job: Soho House & Co is seeking an excellent and outgoing Chef De Partie to join its Central London team.
What You’ll Do: The Chef De Partie will work to ensure that everything that leaves their station matches the high standards for which Soho House is known.
You’ll Need: While previous experience within the hospitality or service-based industry would be ideal, it’s not essential.
What matters most is that you have a genuine passion for food and beverage, a positive, can-do attitude and that you are punctual, reliable, and trustworthy.
Read More on The Sun
Apply Now: Check out this Chef De Partie role, and further opportunities with Soho House & Co, here.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
