Can I become a professional chef without qualifications?

chef no qualifications pp

Yes, you can become a professional chef without qualifications, No experience, no qualifications, no worry. There is plenty of work for everyone.. Most of my chefs jobs I applied for never even asked me what qualifications I had; they were more interested in what experience I had. Unfortunately, it is a bit of a catch 22 situation, without experience or qualifications the only option you will have to begin with, would be to get a job as a kitchen porter and work your way up to a chef by watching how food is prepared by the chefs.

Most of the best chefs began their career washing pots and pans and watching how a kitchen worked. Cooking is from the heart; you can teach yourself to cook at home but cooking as a professional chef is completely different. When people have to pay for a meal you have prepared the response could be completely different to someone eating free.

As an employer, I once put an advert in the paper for Kitchen assistant, I received 2 applicants and decided to interview them both. The first had no qualifications but had worked in a few pubs and restaurants. The second had just come out of catering college and had about three qualifications in different sections but had never worked in a professional kitchen. I decided to employ them both.

within the first two weeks, I had to let the qualified chef go. He could tell you all the ingredients of a dish and how it was made, but you can’t spend the whole day creating 1 dish. So, the point I am making is experience of working in a professional kitchen far out ways being qualified with no kitchen experience.

You may find these useful.

Many chefs would prefer to train another chef to do things the way they want it done and more often or not would be happy to employ someone with no qualifications but with the passion to learning how to cook. The last thing a chef wants is someone trying to tell them how to run their kitchen.

How to get a chefs job with no experience

Catering staff are always in high demand, you will never be without work if you know how to cook. The more experience and qualifications you have, the better your chances, but don’t worry, businesses are crying out  for chefs and will employ you as an unexperienced chef. The average wages for an inexperienced chef will vary, but here is an average salary.

Average salary and hours

Duties include

  • As a commis chef expect around £12,500pa
  • As a sous chef expect around: £28,000+pa
  • Average hours: 35-40 (full-time); 15-25 (part-time)
  • Food preparation to a health and safety compliance
  • Stock control and rotation
  • Foodservice promptly at time required.

Many agencies will also employ you as a cook with no experience. However, in most cases, you will be expected as a legality to have at least level 2 health and safety certificate. 

Also when you go to your first job make sure you at least have your Kitchen whites including chefs hat and apron. and most important is a good set of Kitchen knives. This not only shows you are serious about becoming a chef but most of the time kitchens do not supply cooks with knives and no chef will lend you their knives you might as well ask them to lend you their shoes.

chefs job unqualified

There are many different types of chefs working in different departments and sections. What kind of chef do you want to be? Restaurant chef? Cooking food in front of customers? working on cruise liners travelling the world? Pub chef cooking traditional home fair? Pastry chef baker making fresh bread and tasty cakes? You could even consider being an army chef and travelling the world with a good pension at the end of it.

The choices are never-ending and the demand for chefs is always high, especially in mid-season when hospitality is at its busiest. below is a chart showing different positions you can achieve being a professional chef.

  • Commis chef
  • Chef de partie
  • Junior sous chef
  • Sous chef
  • Head chef
  • Junior executive chef
  • Executive chef
  • Relief executive chef
unqualified chef de partie

Freelancing agency chef in London

How to become a temporary and permanent or freelance chef working through a recruitment agency. There are many reasons why chefs and general catering staff decide to join a recruitment agency, you will also need to weigh up the pros and cons and decide if it is really what you are looking for. Different chefs agencies will offer different rates of pay depending on your experience and qualifications as a chef.

How much does an unqualified pub chef make in a week?

Depending on your experience, you would maybe start on a minimum wage of £8.50 on a trial basis. The average hourly rate for a pub chef is between £10.00-£15.00per hour depending on the location and how busy the pub gets. You may also get deductions if you choose to live in.

The number of hours you will be expected to work will again depend on how many other chefs are working and what shifts are available, but normally it would be around 40-45 hours a week and your average weekly take home after deductions would be between £300.00-£600.00 per week. These are just a rough guide based on experience and facts.

The hours can change and often you find yourself working every hour under the sun, especially when chefs walk out or eave and there is no one available to cover the shifts. 

Because of these long hours it’s a great idea to set a time limit of around 6 months, save as much as you can and then go travelling for at least 3 months. give yourself a break or you will be broken.

What are the main duties of a traditional pub chef?

This will vary depending on the size of the pub and how many other staff such as cleaners and section chefs are employed. In my experience you are much better off working in a big pub rather than a small one. The main reason being you will have cleaners and pot wash staff and you will be mainly in charge of a section so you won’t be running around doing every job in the kitchen and you can concentrate on making your section perfect.

In smaller pubs you will be expected to do cleaning and washing up as well as running your section, this is normal but can get frustrating if you have a lot of prep to catch up with and not much time. But that having been said the benefits are you get more control and freedom of the kitchen and don’t have a head chef watching everything you do, but then it is your responsibility to make sure it is done right.

Chefs cooking blow torch

Plate decorating spoons

There is always something to do in a kitchen and most of the time you are continuously chasing your tail. The secret is not to be over adventurous and bite off more than you can chew. Especially in a smaller kitchen with less staff to help you it can sometimes be overwhelming.

When everything is going well and customers are complimenting the food, this is what it’s all about. There is no need to be a stressful chef.

Below is a small chart of general duties that may be expected of you. These will vary considerably in different places, but generally they will be the same. Working in traditional pub kitchens is great fun, you meet some wonderful people and have some great times. Don’t forget to pick up your personal life when you leave the building. and good luck.

  • Check stock rotation
  • Monitor fridge and freezer temperatures
  • Check deliveries are correct
  • Food preparation
  • cooking staff dinners
  • Helping with menus
  • Make sure you take a break
  • Cooking fresh food
  • making lists of ingredients for ordering
  • Checking store rooms and any signs of infestation
  • General cleaning
  • Stock control
  • Turn off all the gas, switch off the lights and close the door behind you.

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Kevin Harrington is a keen photographer, blogger, and professional chef for over 40 years. With a passion for cooking and travel, Chefstravels was born. Thank you for visiting my site and I wish you every success in what you do.

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