Male chef piping into porcelain dish, learning how to become a chef at mitchells and butlers

How to become a chef

How to become a chef

Jess Birch our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 14/06/2024

Hey there, aspiring culinary rockstars! If you've got a passion for food, an insatiable appetite for creativity, and an undeniable flair for flavour, then you might be destined to become a chef in the sizzling-hot world of the hospitality industry. 

Not sure where to start? Well, as the leading restaurant and pub company in the UK, with 14 brands across 1,700 businesses, you’re spoiled for choice at Mitchells & Butlers. Whether you love traditional pub grub like the mouthwatering dishes served up at our Ember Inns, or you’re a steak geek obsessed with the best cuts and the finest ingredients at a Miller & Carter Steakhouse, there are many reasons you’ll love working in an M&B kitchen.

But you might be wondering what skills and experience you need to be successful. Here’s our flavourful guide on how to become a chef in the hospitality industry:

Get cooking!

To become a top-notch chef, if you’re starting without experience it helps to work from the bottom, building confidence as you work your way up. Just finished college? Working as a kitchen assistant is a great job for under 18s. You’ll get to build teamwork skills, learn how a kitchen operates and more.

If you’re an aspiring culinary enthusiast, then a chef apprenticeship is another great way to kicktsart your career in the kitchen. You’ll gain first-hand experience, and learn the magic of flavours, knife skills, culinary techniques, and how to turn a humble potato into a culinary masterpiece. Qualifications for a chef can vary, from a Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery to a foundation degree in culinary arts at a university.

If you’re itching to get in the kitchen, apply to an entry-level job in a restaurant or gain experience in a summer job in the kitchen.

Spice up your skills

Just like adding a pinch of salt can transform a dish, honing your skills is the secret ingredient to success. Be curious and open to learning new techniques. And remember, practice makes perfect! So don't be afraid to invite your friends over and unleash your culinary creations on them (be prepared for brutally honest feedback!).

A chef apprenticeship is a great way to develop the skills you need to kick start your career, and earning as you learn is a massive bonus! Don’t just take it from us, learn how Ashea, Jack and Lauren made the most of their apprenticeships.

When you train to become a professional chef on one of our apprenticeships, we’ll help you master the menu, with your food being the reason guests keep coming through our doors! Plus, whether you’re a college student or on the hunt for a new career that fires you up, you’re never too old to do an apprenticeship.

Seek inspiration

If you’re a budding chef then it’s no surprise that one of your most important tools is your taste buds!

Like the brain or any part of your body, it’s important to exercise them. One of the most fun parts of working with food is trying it! At M&B you’ll get to master pre-set menus that are specially crafted to delight guests. And if you love dining out, you’ll love it even more with a massive 33% discount across all of our brands when you join us.

Keep your tastebuds alert by trying different cuisines. Immerse yourself in cookbooks, food blogs, and cooking shows. Follow renowned chefs on social media for a daily dose of mouthwatering food inspo. 

Embrace failure (and burnt soufflés)

We can't sugarcoat it, but setbacks are a part of any culinary journey. Burnt soufflés, soggy pastries, and the occasional kitchen disasters will happen. Embrace them as valuable learning experiences. 

The kitchen is a wild, fiery space where pots and pans sizzle, and things can occasionally boil over. Being comfortable in the exciting hustle and bustle of a fast-paced kitchen is part of the process! Just remember to take a deep breath, dust off the flour, and keep pushing forward. Remember, even Michelin-starred chefs had their fair share of cooking calamities!

Rise to the occasion

Once you've gained some experience and confidence, it's time to spread your culinary wings and fly! Look for opportunities to lead a kitchen, be it as a sous chef, kitchen manager, or head chef. 

And don’t be afraid to be yourself and bring a big dash of your personality to the kitchen! Having a successful chef career isn’t just about food. Our kitchen assistants, chefs and kitchen managers don't come to work in an M&B kitchen just because they run like well-oiled machines. We love having fun together and enjoy an inclusive environment where everyone, including people like Ellie, are welcomed and supported in their career development.

Get ready to dice, slice, and sauté your way to glory!

Becoming a chef in the hospitality industry is an exhilarating and challenging journey. It requires dedication, a hunger for knowledge, and a dash of fearlessness. So, tie that apron tight, sharpen those knives, and get ready to embark on a tantalising adventure that will set taste buds dancing and keep guests coming through the doors!

If you’re ready to create magic in the kitchen, and let your passion for food take you to dizzying new heights, apply for kitchen jobs at M&B today. Bon appétit!

List #1

Some articles you might like

image of kayleigh
How a temporary Christmas job at M&B kickstarted Kayleigh’s career in hospitality

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

Temporary Christmas jobs are a great way to earn extra cash for the holidays while gaining valuable work experience. They offer the chance to build new skills and try out roles like bar, waiting

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

two men and one woman working in a kitchen in their chef whites and smiling
Everything you need to know about being a Kitchen Manager at the different M&B brands

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead a buzzing kitchen team, create memorable dining experiences, and make your mark in hospitality, you’re in the right place.  To give you a better ide

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

waiting staff greeting guests at M&B - customer service in hospitality
Crafting memorable moments: The importance of customer service at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/22/2024

Summary

In today's busy world of pubs and bars, it's not just about the drinks. What really sets a place apart is how well they treat their guests. At M&B, we believe that every interaction is an opportu

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Christian from Stonehouse
Can you go from Chef to General Manager? Yes, you can!

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees.  We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

girl holding a tray of food standing in front of a restaurant
Five reasons to choose a Christmas job at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/01/2024

Summary

Christmas is coming, and we can hear Santa's bells fast approaching. That's right, it's almost time to dust off the Christmas jumper and get the decorations out of the box. If you're not excited j

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

live in job - two people smiling at the pub
5 unmissable perks of our live-in jobs you need to know!

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/14/2024

Summary

A live-in job, you say? Right, well, before we go any further, let’s break down the basics: What is a live-in job? Simply put, it’s a job that includes live-in accommodation as part of the benefi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

smiling lady on laptop sitting at pub
The dos and don'ts when writing your hospitality CV

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/07/2024

Summary

So, the job search is on. Many people dread the process and see it as a race to the finish line where they’ll receive the prize of a job. While that should be your ultimate goal, there’s no sens

Teaser

CV writing a chance to figure out your core skills, which pub and restaurant job is right for you and which type of company you want to work at.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

What can you expect from a Christmas job at M&B?

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/02/2024

Summary

Mulled wine and pigs in blankets season is upon us, and we're ramping up for a busy time of year. Our hospitality teams work hard all year round, but in December they make experiences extra special

Teaser

Find out more
Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

electric kitchen at m&b with three chefs smiling
Embracing the Future: Electric Kitchens at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/28/2024

Summary

At M&B, we're on a bold sustainability mission with an ambitious goal: reaching Net Zero by 2040. Our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is driving innovative changes across our oper

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

team leader smiling at customers in pub
5 reasons you’ll love a Team Leader job in M&B kitchens

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/11/2024

Summary

What is a Team Leader job? Are you a natural-born leader with a passion for food? Then we’ve got a place for you as one of our Kitchen Team Leaders at Mitchells and Butlers.  As a Team Leader in

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Part Time Kitchen Assistant

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Crown, Croydon, CR0 8BA

Departments

Kitchen Assistant

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Ember Inns

Location

Croydon

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  With your suppor

Reference

2351168

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Part Time Kitchen Team Leader

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Crown, Croydon, CR0 8BA

Departments

Kitchen Team Leader

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Ember Inns

Location

Croydon

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Part Time Kitch

Reference

2351167

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Part Time Chef

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Crown, Croydon, CR0 8BA

Departments

Chef

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Ember Inns

Location

Croydon

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As a part time Che

Reference

2351165

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search