Master Chef Programs

For those who are considering a career as a chef, there are several options. Many chefs begin their careers as food preparation workers or short-order cooks and work their way up. This can take years, and there is no guarantee that a chef will attain the professional goals he or she desires. Today's professional chefs are often the graduates of well-respected culinary art institutes or even colleges and universities that offer bachelor degree programs.

Depending on how far a chef wants to go, he or she may start out with a culinary arts diploma or certificate after completing a 12-month course. A more comprehensive course can take up to 18 months. Beyond that level, some schools, including community colleges, offer Associate of Science degrees. Finally, as noted above, colleges offer four-year degrees.

No matter which type of culinary arts program an aspiring chef chooses, he or she should focus on a specific area of expertise to pursue, whether a prospective culinary institute is well-respected, whether scholarships or financial aid are available, and, finally, whether the program will lead to American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification. There are several levels of certification available in different areas of the culinary arts such as chef, executive chef, and master chef.

A master chef usually commands a great deal of respect, and, at the same time, may command a significant salary. Master chefs generally have several years of professional experience. ACF-certified master chefs are considered to be highly-valued employees and often supervise a staff of dozens of other culinary workers. They often create their own recipes and are masters at presentation. People travel for miles and wait for reservations to enjoy the artistry of master chefs.