There are so many cooking and hospitality programmes dominating television – from Bake Off and Come Dine With Me to MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen. But have you ever wondered what it would really be like to work in the industry?

You can travel the world

Being a chef is the ideal career for anyone with a bit of wanderlust, because you can be a chef anywhere in the world, and sometimes you will end up travelling to discover new flavours and techniques!

You never stop learning

As a chef, you are constantly learning new things, experimenting and perfecting your technique. You’ll never reach a point where you know it all, because it’s such a diverse career that there is always more to learn.

It’s not like the TV programmes

Some TV chefs paint a certain (sometimes very solo!) image of being a chef, and while the job doesn’t come without pressure it’s very different to the occasionally glamorous TV portrayal. Be prepared to work, but also remember you’ll have a team of people supporting you.

You’ll probably work long hours

Everyone looking to embark on a career as a chef needs to be prepared for long, unsociable hours – that’s just one of the realities of the job. But you can be sure that, while this seems daunting, it’s one of the most rewarding and varied professions for the right person.

There’s always progression routes in your career

Because hospitality is such a diverse industry, there’s plenty of progression routes whatever your goals are. Whether you’re looking to be a fantastic all-round chef or specialise in a particular cuisine, there are always jobs and ways to move up in your career.

Interested?

If being a chef sounds like the career for you, an apprenticeship with the Food and Drink Academy at Weston College is an ideal place to start. You can learn all the skills you need to be a chef, while earning a wage. For more information, visit the hospitality and catering page.