Chef
Cook and lead in professional kitchens - restaurants, hotels, or private settings.
This UK chef career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £20,000 - £25,000 (commis)
- Mid-career salary
- £28,000 - £42,000 (chef de partie / sous)
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £100,000+ (head / exec chef)
- Work environment
- Kitchen - hot, fast, evenings and weekends
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Hospitality and Food
What a Chef does
Cook and lead in professional kitchens - restaurants, hotels, or private settings.
- Line Cook - Run a station in a busy professional kitchen.
- Sous Chef - Second-in-command, supports the head chef.
- Pastry Chef - Specialise in desserts, breads, and patisserie.
- Private Chef - Cook for individuals, families, or events.
- Head Chef - Run a kitchen - menu, team, costs.
How to become a Chef
- Look up Chef roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Chef - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Knife skills
- Speed
- Stamina
- Calm under pressure