Best chef courses In India: Career, Eligbility Criteria & Job Prospects In 2023
- Naief Khatri
- Updated Date: September 8, 2023
Today, cooking is more than an activity confined to traditional kitchen – it is a high flying career option! The skills of a chef today have become very modern and now combine passion, creativity and hard work for the art of cooking. Read More about Cooking
To cater to the ever–growing market and demand for professional and competent chefs, a plethora of courses in food processing, catering technology and other relevant areas are being offered by different institutions. Check here to find your cooking career option
Generally the hierarchy of chefs is something like this:
- Executive Chef – Usually he is in control of everything inside the kitchen including menu creation, personal management and business aspects.
- Sous Chef – He is the assistant chef and looks after menu-planning, costing and ordering.
- Expeditor – They usually make sure that the food is plated in time for the waiters to serve orders.
- Cooks and Assistants – They are assigned specific duties inside the kitchen. Usually a person starts from Commi3, then Commi 2, Commi 1, Demi-chef-de -partie and Chef-de-partie. As Chef-de-partie the person is usually made in charge of one section, like Chinese, French, Italian, Continental, Banquet, Pastry etc.
An inspiration for all aspiring chefs is the celebrity chef, Vikas Khanna, was 17 when started his own banquet and catering business. He graduated from the famous Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, and then trained under renowned chefs of Taj Group of Hotels, Oberois, Leela Group etc. He has also studied at the Culinary Institute of America, Cornell University and New York University and the prestigous Le Cordon Bleu, Paris.
Career as Chef
A chef is a professional cook who is responsible for creating and preparing food in a restaurant, hotel, or other food service establishment. Chefs typically have a culinary degree or diploma, and they must have a strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and cooking techniques.
The career of a chef can be demanding, but it can also be very rewarding. Chefs have the opportunity to be creative and to share their love of food with others. They also have the opportunity to travel and to work in different types of kitchens. Check Best Vocational Courses In India
The steps to becoming a chef typically include:
- Getting a culinary education:Â There are many different ways to get a culinary education. You can attend a culinary school, take online courses, or apprentice with an experienced chef.
- Gaining experience:Â Once you have completed your culinary education, you will need to gain experience working in a kitchen. You can start as a line cook or a prep cook and then work your way up to becoming a chef.
- Getting certified:Â There are many different organizations that offer chef certifications. Getting certified can help you to advance your career and to show employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful chef.
Top Chef Courses In India 2023
Here are some of the best chef courses in India:
- Culinary Arts Diploma at Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration: This diploma course covers the basics of cooking, baking, and pastry making. It also includes modules on food safety, sanitation, and hygiene.Â
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) at Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai: This bachelor’s degree program covers a wide range of topics related to the hospitality industry, including culinary arts, food service management, and hotel operations.Â
- Bachelor of Culinary Arts (BCA) at The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development: This bachelor’s degree program focuses on the art of cooking and baking, and prepares students for careers in fine dining restaurants, hotels, and other foodservice establishments.Â
- Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) at The Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad: This master’s degree program is designed for experienced chefs who want to advance their skills and knowledge in the culinary arts.Â
- Certified Master Chef (CMC) certification from the American Culinary Federation: This certification is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates a chef’s skills and knowledge in the culinary arts.
Chef Eligibility Criteria
Qualification:Â
- Minimum 10+2
- Bachelor/Diploma of Hotel management
- Certificate chef courses that last 6-12 months
(Also read:Â Hotel management entrance exam, NCHMCT JEE)
Personal attributes:Â
- An inborn love for first-class food is the primary pre-requisite. Additionally, one must have an experimental bent of mind and the inquisitiveness to know the chemistry of different food ingredients
Chef Job Prospects
One should possess thorough knowledge about different varieties of food and cuisine and how they are cooked, prepared and finally presented to the guests. One should possess an outgoing and friendly personality and also an ability to work in a team.
Chef Job Prospects
After completion of a diploma or the certificate course in Hotel Management, one can join a hotel as an intern or cannot for apprenticeship after 10+2 directly.Â
A trained chef has many employment avenues which are varied and interesting. Hotels/restaurants, air catering, food processing companies, catering in confectioneries, cruise liner and corporate catering all require chefs.Â
One can also dabble in the area of food writing like Ms. Tarla Dalal or one can choose to become an entrepreneur by setting up food chains. It is closely linked with the tourism industry which is already on the upswing.
Chef Pay Package
Graduates become trainees, who after being trained are paid about Rs.7,000 – Rs.10,000. Pay increases with experience and the lifestyle is brilliant. If you start as as a chef in a good restaurant or hotel, you can earn as much as Rs.50,000 per month.
Chef Courses Institutes/Universities In India
The most common misconception is that if you join a “hotel management” course, you graduate as a chef. No!Â
It is high time that we see hospitality and culinary careers separately. If you want to go into Food and Beverage Service, Accommodation Operations and Front Office then opt for Hotel Management courses, but if you really want to become a chef, then ideally you should take up Professional Food Production courses such as Culinary courses. Most of the IHMs in India offer culinary courses as well, most notably IHM, Pusa, New Delhi & IHM Aurangabad (4 Year BA (Honours) Culinary Arts).
The ideal way to go about becoming a Michelin starred chef will be to pursue a BHM course (which would train you in all 4 aspects of hospitality management) and then follow it up with a good quality culinary arts course (just like Vikas Khanna did!).
Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (21 centres located in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Gurdaspur, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Srinagar and Thiruvananthapuram & other places).
Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) | 21 IHMs that are regulated by the National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT). Click here to see list of all IHMs |
Institute of Hotel Management (The Taj Group of Hotels) | Dr Rafiq Zakaria Campus, Rauza Bagh, Aurangabad 431 001, Maharashtra, India Tel: 0240–238 1113, 0240–2381127 Fax: 0240–2381104 |
The Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Management | Manipal, Karnataka, offers a degree level graduate programme. WGSHA, Valley View International Manipal – 576104 Ph: 0820 25711010820 2571101 Fax: 2571327 Email:Â [email protected] |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology | Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmai Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110019 Phone: + 91-11-26382276+ 91-11-26382276, + 91-11-4902030091-11-49020300, +91-11-49020301+91-11-49020301 |
Culinary Academy of India (CAI) (Affiliated to Osmania University) | 6-3-1219/6A, Umanagar, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 16, A.P., India, E-mail:Â [email protected] |
The Oberoi Group’s Systematic Training and Education Programme (STEP) – Kitchen Operations Programme [leading to Bachelor of Tourism Studies degree from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)] | 7, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110 054, India Phone: 011-23906422011-23906422/23. |
Delhi Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology | National Park, Lajpat Nagar IV Near Lady Shri Ram College Delhi-110024, India Phone: 011 2621 4812011 2621 4812 |
College of Hospitality & Tourism (CHAT), Rai University | Saroda, Dholka Taluka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 382260 Admission Helpline: +91-8980004322+91-8980004322, +91-8980004323+91-8980004323, +91-8980004324+91-8980004324, +91-8980004326+91-8980004326 |
Indian Institute Of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts | 7-91/5, Nagendra Nagar, Habsiguda Cross Road, Habsiguda, Habsiguda, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007 Phone:040 2715 4304040 2715 4304 |
FAQS
Here are some popular chef courses available after 12th in India,
Diploma in Food Production, Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery, Diploma in Culinary Arts
To become a chef after 10th in India, you can choose a chef course, get hands-on experience, work your way up, continue learning, and network with other chefs. The most important thing is to have a passion for cooking and be organized and efficient.
Hotel management chef courses in India include Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM), Diploma in Hotel Management (DHM), and Certificate in Hotel Management (CHM). These courses typically include coursework in food production, culinary arts, kitchen management, food safety, and sanitation. They also typically include some practical training in a hotel kitchen.
The best course for a chef depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a chef course:
- Your level of education: If you have already completed your 12th grade, you may want to consider a bachelor’s degree program in culinary arts. If you have not yet completed your 12th grade, you may want to consider a diploma or certificate program.
- Your interests: Do you want to specialize in a particular cuisine? Do you want to work in a restaurant, hotel, or catering company? Consider the type of chef you want to be and choose a course that will give you the skills and knowledge you need.
- Your budget: Chef courses can vary in cost, so it is important to factor in your budget when making a decision.
Here are some of the popular chef courses available in India:
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
- Bachelor of Culinary Arts (BCA)
- Master of Culinary Arts (MCA)
The cost of a chef course in India varies depending on the type of course, the institution, and the location.
Here are some estimates of the cost of different chef courses in India:
- Diploma in Culinary Arts:Â INR 50,000 – INR 100,000
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM):Â INR 100,000 – INR 200,000
- Bachelor of Culinary Arts (BCA):Â INR 100,000 – INR 200,000
- Master of Culinary Arts (MCA):Â INR 200,000 – INR 300,000
The course duration for chef in India varies depending on the type of course, the institution, and the location.
Here are some common course durations for chef courses in India:
- Diploma in Culinary Arts:Â 1-2 years
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM):Â 3-4 years
- Bachelor of Culinary Arts (BCA):Â 3-4 years
- Master of Culinary Arts (MCA):Â 1-2 years
Yes, you can become a chef after 10th. There are many chef courses available in India that you can take after completing your 10th grade.
- Excellent cooking skills
- Creativity
- Organizational skills
- Communication skillsÂ
- Teamworks kills
- Stress management skills
The requirements for taking a chef course in India vary depending on the course. However, most courses require you to have a 10+2 or equivalent qualification. Some courses may also require you to have prior experience in the culinary arts.
The duration of a chef course in India varies depending on the course. Diploma courses typically take 1-2 years to complete, while bachelor’s degree programs take 3-4 years to complete.
Articles Updates:
08/09/2023: Content update, InterlinkingÂ
08/09/2023: Add Faq and infographic
