How to become a professional chef in India? Eligibility, Opportunities, Salary & More!

Who is a chef?

For those who have a passion for cooking, a career as a chef is one of the most sought-after ones due to its high demand and range of possibilities. If you dream of serving delicious, piping-hot meals, then read on to learn more about becoming a chef in India.

Essentially, a chef is like the captain of a ship in the kitchen hierarchy, carrying out complex flavor dynamics and creating the best menus. They also manage other cooks and interact with customers to obtain feedback. Additionally, they are responsible for developing new recipes, planning menus, training kitchen staff, ensuring the best quality food is laid on the table, and maintaining the hygiene of the kitchen.

Eligibility Criteria:

 To become a chef, you can start early by enrolling in a one-year course such as a Certificate Course in Food Production or a Certificate Course in Bakery. If you want to pursue higher education, you can take a diploma course or an undergraduate course in culinary arts, hotel management, or catering technology.

Essential Skills:

 The skills necessary to become a chef include organizational skills, multitasking, creativity and an eye for detail, time management, leadership, resilience, stamina, restaurant and kitchen management, and strong communication.

Salary & Opportunities:

 The salary of a chef in India varies based on experience, skills, and place of work. Entry-level chefs can earn around

₹225,000 per year while experienced chefs can take home around ₹1,600,000 per year. The average salary is around

₹400,000 annually. Executive chefs/head chefs earn between ₹0.7 lakhs and ₹20 lakhs, with an average salary of ₹6 lakhs per year.

More Career Options Apart From Cooking

Apart from chef-related jobs, you can also pursue other careers such as cookbook writer, event caterer, cookery show host, cuisine ship caterer/airlines caterer/railways restaurant/pub manager, and food critic/journalist/writer after gaining some work experience.

Being a chef is no easy feat and requires hours of hard work and dedication. However, with the right attitude, focus, and skills, you can excel in this profession and make a name for yourself. Explore more, Join India’s Top Baking & Culinary Art School IBCA Delhi!

FAQ

Q1. Who is a chef?

A chef has been trained to understand cooking techniques and flavors, create recipes from scratch using fresh ingredients, and handle the kitchen’s business side.

Q2. What is the meaning of chef?

The word ‘chef’ is short for the French ‘chef de cuisine,’ which translates to ‘chief of the kitchen’. Thus, a chef is a trained professional cook and a chief who supervises other cooks.

Q3. What should I study to become a chef?

If you wish to become a chef, you must study a course related to hotel management, culinary arts, or catering technology.

Q4. How to apply for a chef job?

You can apply for a chef job through online websites which advertise various job vacancies in various national & international restaurants.