So you want to be an apprentice chef?

The number one thing you have to be ok with as an apprentice chef is working under pressure.

If you like the sound of working in a team to prepare, cook and present food in time for service, then this just might be the career path for you.

You’ll also need to have a real passion for food, enjoy being creative and like a fast-paced working environment.

You’ll learn the skills to safely prepare, cook and present a variety of food and how to clean and maintain kitchens and equipment.

You can be an apprentice in anything and everything food from commercial cookery to patisserie and international cuisine.

No matter which chef apprenticeship you choose, you’ll learn real skills on-the-job AND work towards a nationally recognised qualification! (Check out pathways here).

Typically, a cooking apprenticeship takes four years to complete.

And your wage? Well, that all depends on your award!

To find out which award your apprenticeship comes under, take a look at Fair Work’s free and easy to use pay calculator here.

Once you’re fully qualified, you’ll have a broad set of skills and a qualification to take you wherever you want to go in the industry.

You might want to stay with your current employer and take on more responsibilities within the business (like training up new apprentices!) or maybe you’ll want to take your skills elsewhere.

Whatever you decide, there’s plenty of work to be had in the hospitality industry. In just five years, the hospitality industry has seen more than 5% growth AND sits in the top 20% of industries with the highest number of employees.*