Chef
A fast-paced career for food lovers.
Job opportunities
5,656
Jobs in AUS right now
Job growth
19.4%*
Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
$60k
Most common salary
Job satisfaction
3.7
What's it like to be a Chef?
A Chef is a professional cook, trained in all aspects of food preparation. They generally work in commercial kitchens; these can take on a wide variety of forms, from fine dining restaurants, to cafés, to foodtrucks. Many Chefs focus on a specific cuisine, while others choose to specialise in certain aspects of cooking, like baking or pastry making.
Tasks and duties
- Pre-service: Checking the inventory and ordering required ingredients. Preparing for service may include things like cleaning, cutting and marinating the food.
- Service: Communicating with floor and other kitchen staff, cooking and serving food.
- Post-service: Ensuring the work environment is spotless is essential.
What can I earn as a Chef?
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Latest Chef jobs on SEEK
Source: Full time annual package based on job ad data.
How to become a Chef
There are no required qualifications to become a Chef, but it’s common for Chefs to complete an apprenticeship and gain a vocational qualification such as a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30816).
- Decide what type of restaurant you want to work in and what cuisine you’d like to cook.
- Apply for an apprenticeship with a TAFE or private college.
- Many experienced Chefs branch out into owning their own restaurants or cafés. Owning and running your own business can be complicated and demanding, so it’s a good idea to supplement your cooking skills with some business training.
Explore related qualifications
SEEK users who have worked as a Chef have studied these qualifications.
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Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
This certificate gives you the skills to prepare food and menu items and may provide a pathway into roles in cafes and restaurants.
Certificate III in Hospitality
This certificate prepares you for a career in the hospitality industry and for roles in restaurants, hotels and cafes.
Diploma of Hospitality Management
This diploma provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in management positions within the hospitality industry.
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
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CookingHygienicHACCPResilienceFood PreparationFood ProvenancePositive AttitudeTeam WorkAbility to Work At A Fast PaceWorkplace Health and SafetySkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Is Chef the right role for me?
Job market trends for Chefs
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Role Reviews
Latest Chef reviews
Latest reviews from 122 Chefs surveyed on SEEK
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Positive
Negative
Chef job is a great art.
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Hospitality
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Chef
The good things
Why I want to be a Chef
There are multiple reasons to be a chef for me and the very first one is I just love cooking. I know it is quite common to cook but I just love it and it keeps me happy. One s...
The challenges
Of course the passion for food and the teaching of others does allow the chef to cook, but not at the same level as those who work the line every day. To reach the pinnacle of a cook’s career and beco...
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Your food will bring happy moments in people life
Reviewer's Qualification
Diploma of Hospitality Management
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Large (200+ employees)
Specialisation
General
The good things
You bring smile and happiness in people life weather you work in cafe or restaurant, events centre or hotels, aged care or hospitals. You also get happiness, when you customer appreciate you with good...
The challenges
Long hours of work at certain kind of hospitality industry which might effect your personal life.
Less awareness in seniors to bring this industry as respected as other industry.
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Source: SEEK Role Reviews
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data