chef

All your burning questions about chef jobs—Answered!

All your burning questions about chef jobs—Answered!

Sophie Dawson our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 14/10/2024

Curious about what it’s like to work as a chef? We’ve got all the answers you need.

Chef jobs truly are creative, rewarding, and never the same two days in a row—but it’s common for folks to have lots of questions when moving into this line of work for the first time.

Join us as we walk you through some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a chef, and give you a bit of insight into what chef jobs are like at M&B.

Ready? Let’s tuck in.

Chef jobs FAQs

How long does it take to become a chef?

The simple answer here is: that it depends.

There isn’t just one route to becoming a chef; it depends on how you go about it. Some culinary programmes last one year—and others last four. 

Hands-on experience is key in this industry, and many chefs start their careers as kitchen porters or line cooks, gradually working their way up. At M&B, you don’t need a formal qualification to become a chef—what really matters is gaining valuable experience in the kitchen and developing your skills as you go.

What are the differences between a cook and a chef?

This is a questions that lots and lots of people have when first becoming interested in a career in cooking.

We can explain the difference in a fairly simple way:

  1. A cook follows recipes and handles food prep in a kitchen environment.
  2. A chef takes on more of a leadership-based role; managing staff, and even being responsible for budgeting kitchen expenses.

Can I still become a chef if I do not have a degree from a culinary school?

Definitely! Not all chefs have culinary degrees. Lots of chefs begin their careers as entry-level kitchen staff and end up gaining enough experience to work their way up.

Suppose you’re the sort of person who’d prefer to find your way to a cheffing job through hands-on experience, rather than formal education. In that case, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the place where you’re seeking work experience.

For example, at M&B, we’re really keen on career progression and do everything we can to see our team achieve their professional ambitions. 

So, if you’re after a chef job but don’t have a degree from a culinary school, don’t worry. Our Chefs Academy apprenticeship is an award-winning training programme that’ll see you go from sous chef to head chef—once you have the ambition and passion to go with.

How do chefs invent new dishes?

How does a painter create a new painting? It comes from whatever source of inspiration is unique to that person. 

For chefs, it’s often a case of experimenting with different flavours, textures, tastes, and seasonal ingredients—then using their knowledge of cooking techniques to put it all together and make something sensational.

Escoffier chef, Pietro Vitella, says that he creates new dishes by tapping into—what he calls—his personal “flavour bank” and drawing inspiration from there. 

At M&B, once a year, our chefs get the chance to show off their skills in the ultimate Design A Dish competition, where they can create and compete with an exciting, standout dish. 



What are some things that good chefs know yet others don't?

Remember how we said that chef jobs go beyond just cooking? It’s also about management of team, money, managing waste, and oodles of knowledge about ingredients and cooking methods.

To answer this question properly, let’s turn to the Michelin Guide—the highest award a chef or restaurant can be given. What does Michelin have to say about winning one of their famous stars? They take five-points into account:

  • Quality of ingredients
  • Harmony of flavours
  • Mastery of techniques
  • The personality of the chef as expressed through their food
  • Consistency—both across the menu and over time

While it won’t be everyone’s goal to go after a Michelin star, chefs—and chefs-to-be—can learn a lot from their idea of excellence.

What is the hardest part of being a chef?

Phew, anyone who’s seen Hell’s Kitchen can tell you that working in a culinary job isn’t always easy. But it isn’t all Gordon Ramsay-esque explosions—we promise!

The hardest part of chef jobs for a lot of people is the physical and mental demands of the job—which often calls for long hours on your feet in a high-pressure environment.

Balancing the practical side of managing teams and budgets with the day-to-day operations in the kitchen can be a challenge for any chef.

But for people with the ambition and excitement to go into this line of work, it’s a hugely rewarding job like no other.

Tuck into chef jobs at M&B

Is your creativity and love for good food calling you down the road of cheffing? Then we’d love to hear from you! At M&B, we have tonnes of chef jobs that cater to people with different experience levels.

Whether you’re ready to enter the world of cheffing with a sous chef job or are a head chef looking for a new kitchen to crack into, we’re excited to learn more about you and what your goals are. 

Reach out to us today and let us help you land your ideal chef job.

List #1

Some articles you might like

5 reasons you'll love an apprenticeship with Mitchells & Butlers

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/04/2024

Summary

Are you toying with the idea of doing an apprenticeship rather than going to university? Or maybe you’re already working but you think a qualification will boost your CV? Whatever stage you’re

Teaser

Whatever stage you’re at in your career we want to help you make the right decision for your next steps. Here's why we think our apprenticeships are the bees knees.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

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

Wendy Annison
Meet Wendy: Driving business change as M&B’s new Solutions Architect

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/01/2024

Summary

With Business Change and Technology being a big focus for growth at Mitchells & Butlers, we’re excited to welcome Wendy Annison as our new Solutions Architect.  Wendy is here to drive business ch

Teaser

Find out more
Lucy  Chapman

by

Lucy Chapman

Lucy  Chapman

by

Lucy Chapman

image of mel
Building a better future: Our partnership with Social Bite

Teaser

Company update

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/31/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we believe that success isn't just measured by the number of guests we serve, but also by the positive impact we have on our community. That's why we are thrilled to annou

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

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

shift supervisor
What to expect in a Shift Supervisor job at M&B

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/14/2024

Summary

Are you a natural leader, problem-solver, and passionate about working with people? Then a Shift Supervisor job could be a brilliant choice for you. A Shift Supervisor—sometimes called a Shift Ma

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

image of dan
Discover the exciting opportunities with our Undergraduate and Graduate Marketing Scheme

Teaser

Graduate

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/10/2024

Summary

Are you passionate about marketing and looking for an opportunity to kickstart your career in a dynamic and supportive environment?  Mitchells & Butlers' Undergraduate and Graduate Marketing Sche

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

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

young people at m&b laughing and walking
How to take your job to University with you!

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/30/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we understand that life is full of exciting changes, especially for our team members heading off to university. Balancing an academic journey with part-time work can be ch

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Assistant Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Packe Arms, Hoton, LE12 5SJ

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Hoton

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 Assistant Manag

Reference

2322801

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Part Time Duty Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Packe Arms, Hoton, LE12 5SJ

Departments

Shift Supervisor

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Hoton

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 Duty

Reference

2322800

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Deputy Manager

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Packe Arms, Hoton, LE12 5SJ

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Hoton

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 Deputy Manager

Reference

2322799

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search