If you love food and delighting other people with exciting culinary creations, you might like to consider a career in cookery. Sounds like something that might interest you? You can start your career with an apprenticeship.
What is a career in cookery?
A career in cookery offers an exciting and dynamic journey into the world of food and flavours. As a chef, you have the opportunity to transform simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces, delighting the palates of others. There are also lots of other roles you might like to consider, including as a pastry chef, culinary instructor, food stylist, or even restaurant owner.
What skills do I need for a career in cookery?
A career in cookery requires a combination of technical culinary skills, a strong knowledge of ingredients, a refined palate for taste and flavour, creativity, adaptability, excellent time management, attention to detail, and effective communication and teamwork. These skills will enable you to excel in the fast-paced and dynamic culinary environment, allowing you to create delicious and visually appealing dishes while ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Why should I consider a cookery apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your apprenticeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.
As part of a cookery apprenticeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. A cookery apprenticeship usually takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.
Here are some qualifications you might want to look into:
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
- Certificate III in Catering
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
- Diploma of Hospitality Management
There are tons of benefits to an apprenticeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:
- Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
- The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
- The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
- Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.
Where can I find apprenticeship opportunities?
Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find an apprenticeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.
Here are some examples of the kinds of opportunities available in cookery:
- Commercial Cookery Apprenticeship, Adelaide SA
- Apprentice Chef, Wagga Wagga NSW
- Apprentice Chef, Brisbane QLD
- Baking and Pastry Cook Apprenticeship, Lismore NSW
- Baker or Pastry Chef – Apprentice or Qualified, Canberra ACT