Behind every tasty dish, there’s an amazing chef cutting, frying, and preparing food. Chefs are the best when it comes to time management and working under pressure. They work beyond the standard work hours as they are always busy serving dishes. Because of the tough grind chefs go through every day, “how much does a chef make?” has been added to the FAQ’s.
In this article, you’ll learn about the types of chefs as well as their average income. And if you are an aspiring kitchen alchemist, you can start browsing for the best culinary schools in this very same article.
Chefs in Stations Have Different Function
Commercial kitchens are, generally, spacious with their respective stations, such as saute station, pastry station, grill station, and so on. And behind every station, some chefs manage them. In this part of the article, the question “how much does a chef make?” and “what are their functions in the kitchen?” will be answered.
Executive Chef
Also known as head chefs, they are responsible for the overall management of the kitchen. They are the ones in charge of creating new dishes to serve to the guests. They make sure that the kitchen staff at all times is following food safety protocols. The role of an executive chef includes managerial tasks, and that is why their expected salary is $63,772.
Sous Chef
Sous chefs rank second in the kitchen hierarchy. They assist the executive chef with putting together new dishes to add to the menu, and they help hire and train new staff. To add, They prepare high-quality dishes, as well as supervise all the kitchen stations. The role of a sous chef is to work closely with all the kitchen staff, especially the executive chef. And that is why their expected salary is $45,403.
Senior Chef
Senior chefs are considered as the team leader of a specific station. They direct and assist the kitchen staff in their station, and they also manage the food costs and inventory of their station. They ensure that the prepared food in their region is safe to consume. The role of a senior chef is to work in stations in which they excel, such as the pastry station, butcher station, grilling station, and frying station. And that is why their average salary is $40,244.
These chefs may have their fair share of differences in their salaries, but they are surely needed in the scene. Each and every one of them helps create a harmonious flow throughout the entire kitchen.
Now that you know the answer to “how much does a chef make annually?” let’s hop into some of the best culinary schools in the world! Although it is possible to become a self-taught chef, it really pays off to have the proper training.
Practice Makes Perfect: Top 5 Best Culinary Schools in The World
Everybody needs to practice before they can get better, as nobody starts as a pro. So, if you are an aspiring kitchen alchemist, you must know that it is impossible to know how to become a chef with no experience. You first need to undergo training. Thankfully, there are world-class culinary schools established around the world that transform amateurs into exceptional chefs!
#5 Hattori Nutrition College
Located in Japan, the Hattori Nutrition College is one of the most adored culinary schools in Asia. The college drapes its focus on health and nutrition because they believe that these two are a must in being a professional in the kitchen. The nutrition course is the main course offered by the college. This aims to teach the students how to cook delightful dishes while keeping nutrition and health as the utmost priority.
#4 Westminster Kingsway College
Westminster Kingsway College is located in the ever so busy City of London. The college is famous for its inclusivity, as they accept amateurs to train into professionals; and professionals who want to hone a specific culinary skill. Speaking of inclusivity, if you are an aspiring young chef, the Westminster Kingsway College offers a 5-day course in which 13- to 16-year-olds can participate and become little experts in the kitchen. This program is called Young Chef Academy.
When it comes to adults who want to enroll, the Westminster Kingsway College offers a much longer program consisting of 6 modules that will teach everything there is to know about cooking in a professional manner and the culinary industry.
#3 Culinary Arts Academy
When it comes to unique teaching programs, the Culinary Arts Academy is surely at the top of the list. Located in the country of heart-melting chocolates and cheese, Switzerland, the Culinary Arts Academy offers multiple programs such as a Swiss grand diploma in culinary arts, pastry, and chocolate arts.
In 2020, the academy launched its very own Vegetarian culinary arts program— surely, they believe in the saying “modern problems require modern solutions.” One of the perks when studying at the Culinary Arts Academy, Switzerland, is that you may have your internship at famous restaurants like the Ritz restaurant in Paris, France.
#2 Le Cordon Bleu
Established in the City of love, Paris, France, this culinary school has been around for quite some time now and has become the best school to learn and expertise in French cuisine. The institution is known for its excellence and precision in cooking. And once you have finished your course, you will be given a Le Grand Diplôme Le Cordon Bleu that will surely help you enter prestigious restaurants; and, a bonus point, you get to experience the superb beauty of France!
#1 Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Just in 2011, a world-renowned and by far the most esteemed culinary school in the entire world, the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, was established. The school is well known for its accredited online culinary course, as well as its “farm to table” philosophy. They advertise more on sustainability and helping local suppliers to get the support that they deserve. Elegance while keeping in touch with the roots? That’s impressive!
If you’re an aspiring chef and you ever get the chance to study in one of these culinary schools, you wouldn’t have to ask the question “how much does a chef make?” anymore because, certainly, you’ll make lots of it!
Conclusion
Chefs are often underappreciated by many. They don’t just cook and serve; they undergo months to years of training in order to prepare exquisite dishes. Hopefully, this article answered your question, “how much does a chef make?” And if you’re an aspiring kitchen alchemist, just keep cooking, and maybe you’ll be running your own Michelin-starred restaurant! Discover more about being a chef here!