Food & drink

You could get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• culinary arts
• hospitality management
• professional cookery

A course with industry placements will help you to gain experience and may give you an advantage when looking for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You could do a college course like a Level 3 Diploma In Advanced Professional Cookery or Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could take chef de partie or senior chef advanced apprenticeship.

You could also do a senior culinary chef higher apprenticeship.

These will take between 12 to 24 months to complete.

You may also be able to do this role in the armed forces. You can find more information from:Army; Royal Air Force; Royal Navy

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships
• Army apprenticeships
• RAF apprenticeships
• Royal Navy apprenticeships

Work

Most head chefs work their way up after starting in a job like a kitchen assistant, before working as a section chef and building up their skills and experience.

You'll also need a qualification in food safety.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• get a food hygiene certificate

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in catering from the Hospitality Guild and Caterer.com.

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With experience, you could go on to manage larger kitchens and more staff. You may work for a large restaurant chain, managing more than one kitchen. This is a management role, so cooking duties could be limited.

You could also set up your own business, running your own restaurant or franchise. Some head chefs go on to set up their own restaurant brand.