With so many television programs on the subject, the profession of chef has gained a different kind of attention and status. Enjoying cooking is the basic requirement when thinking about pursuing this career which, contrary to what many people think, it's not enough to have a "gift", you need a lot of study and practice.
1- The way
The first thing an aspiring chef needs to understand is that hardly anyone starts out in this position. You have to see a kitchen as a big company, where there is a hierarchy, a career plan and positions to be won.
Generally speaking, the first position is that of kitchen hand, and as the name implies, the person will be a "hand for all work". The main tasks of this employee, who is the first to enter and the last to leave, are to wash, peel and prepare food for those who will actually be cooking. They are also responsible for washing and cleaning utensils, dishes and the kitchen itself. The average salary for this position is AUD 20/hour.
The second step is to become a kitchen assistant, who is paid an average of AUD 23/hour. This employee is more involved in preparing the dishes, but also takes care of general tasks.
The position of cook makes you responsible for preparing and storing food. The salary is around AUD 30/hour.
Then comes the position of deputy chief, with an average salary of AUD 35/hour, who becomes the chief executive's right-hand man, taking over when he is not present.
Lastly, there is the position of executive chef, whose average salary is AUD 40/hour. The person in this position is responsible for preparing the menu, creating the dishes and coordinating the team.
You know all that pressure that Master Chef shows? It's not all a television creation. In fact, the kitchen is not one of the most relaxed environments. Imagine that a team is responsible for preparing various dishes of varying complexity for hungry and eager customers. And the chef is the one who takes the limelight, for better or worse.
The person who wants to enter this career also has to be prepared for not having a traditional work schedule. Rest days are unlikely to be at the weekend, which is when restaurants are at their busiest.
To be successful in this area, you need, as well as a great love for the art of cooking, dedication, ethics and a lot of patience.
2. Studying is necessary!
Knowing how to prepare food is something that practically everyone learns at some point in their lives. But to be a chef it's not enough to know how to make food. The kitchen becomes a blank canvas and the dish is the artist's final artwork, which carries a concept and a message. That's why it's essential to have a theoretical background. The minimum required to enter a specific course is the Year 10 School Certificate, which corresponds to a full high school education in Brazil.
There are different qualifications for each area within the kitchen and for each type of chef you want to be. In Australia, the main courses are:
O Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30813)It teaches you the basics of cooking, from starters to dessert, as well as how to use utensils and put together a menu.
THE Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT31016) focuses on dough preparation. In this course, students will learn everything from basic methods to cake decoration, the production of hot and cold desserts, organization and stock control.
The Certificate III in Retail Baking (Bread) (FDF30610) is designed for those who want to work in the bakery sector. The course provides knowledge on how to make various breads, cakes and how to use specific machinery.
In addition to the courses, other investments are needed:
- set of knives for cutting, slicing and boning (each knife costs an average of AUD 50)
- appropriate clothing, such as a dolman (the boss's "jacket"), pants, an apron, a hat and closed, non-slip shoes.
3. Experience in the field
Studying is essential to becoming a chef, but don't wait to start working until you've finished your studies. No one will give a job opportunity to someone with no experience, unless you open your own restaurant. In the Aussies, it takes around three years to go from apprentice to head chef.
A very common practice in this area is to apprentice in famous and respected kitchens. Many of the most renowned chefs did this when they were at the start of their careers. They literally knocked on the doors of restaurants they admired and asked to learn. This is a very difficult step, as it often happens on a voluntary basis and there is no financial return. The student should see this as a long-term investment, since as well as learning a lot through day-to-day observation, they will network and gain confidence.
And the lessons don't just lie in how to prepare a dish. A good chef also needs to be an administrator, because they are the ones who..:
- Plan the menu
- Buying food and equipment
- Organizes tasks and functions
- Cooking and preparing dishes
In theory all this sounds simple, but in practice it's much more complex and requires years of experience. And there's no one better to teach than someone who does it every day, right?
Becoming a chef requires years of study and a lot of passion for the profession, which many compare to a marriage because of its complexity. However, the opportunities and job offers are also enormous, especially in Australia, where the tourism sector is strong, consolidated and vital to the country's economy.
