Become a Chef in California

Enjoy California’s wine, chocolate, and fresh food as you study to become a premier chef.

by Eneida P. Alcalde
e.alcalde@cookingschoolsearch.com

Cooking School Search Columnist

California is well-known for its amazing food, which includes its fresh fruits, vegetables, nut orchards, chocolate, mustards, beans, and rice dishes. If you’re a high school graduate and you’re thinking of becoming a chef, perhaps you should attend one of the many chef schools in California. By attending a chef school in California, you’ll be able to enjoy chocolate fondue while cooking with some of the most delicious garlic sauces available in this world.

Chef Schools

If you graduate from one of these chef schools in California, you’ll gain credibility as a chef and, as a result, you’ll have more job opportunities. Chef schools in California will give you hands-on training in an assortment of cooking topics including:

• Gourmet cuisine
• Wines
• Desserts
• Nutrition
• Menu Planning

You’ll also learn:

• Good knife techniques
• Safe food-handling procedures
• Proper use and care of kitchen equipment

Aside from training and cooking experience, successful chef schools teach their students to be:

• Team oriented
• Efficient workers
• Personally clean

It’s likely that you’ll also have to participate in an apprenticeship, internship, or out-placement program jointly offered by your chef school and affiliated restaurants. Industry associations, trade unions, and culinary institutes may also sponsor formal apprenticeship programs in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers is expected to increase by 9 to 17 percent over the 2004 to 2014 period. This positive outlook will allow you to have many opportunities as a California chef school graduate. As you can see, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career as a chef in the reputable California food industry.

Sources

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Discover California

About the Author

Eneida P. Alcalde works in Washington, DC and has written several grants, educational manuals, and promotional material for development organizations. Eneida holds a B.A. in international politics and Spanish from the Pennsylvania State University.

Posted on April 5, 2007 at 2:30 PM

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