The Facts

Most chefs complete a two- or four-year culinary degree that includes training in cooking techniques, preparing international and traditional dishes and restaurant management.

Basic Requirements

Culinary schools require students to have a high school diploma or GED. Completing math, science and home economics courses in high school helps chefs prepare for culinary training.

Communication Skills

In order to have the communication skills needed to direct others and provide services to clients from different parts of the world, chefs benefit from completing foreign language courses in French, Italian and Spanish as well as business communications.

Business Management

Accounting, marketing, service management and economics courses help chefs develop the skills needed to make purchasing, accounting and budget decisions.

Culinary Arts

A well rounded culinary education will introduce chefs to the history and cultural aspects behind some of the French, Mediterranean, Asian and Italian dishes they are learning to prepare.

Considerations

While some schools may be accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission, there are no national training standards for culinary schools or chefs.

Source:

Foodreference.com: A Chef's Education

The Culinary Institute of America: BPS Curriculum Chart

Culinaryprograms.com: Chef Training, Qualifications and Advancement