Salary guide
Chef
- Average salary
- £20,000 – £45,000
- Working hours
- 4 hours/week
HospitalityFood Service
- The UK has over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants
Other names this job is known by
- Cook
- Culinary Artist
Key responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and cook dishes according to recipes and menus
- Oversee kitchen staff and delegate tasks
- Ensure food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness
Skills and qualifications required
- NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or 3 in professional cookery
- Apprenticeship in catering
- Experience in kitchens
- Culinary creativity
- Food safety certification
Promotional job opportunities from this role
- Sous Chef
- Head Chef
- Executive Chef
- Restaurant Owner
How to get the job
- Study food technology or catering
- Apply for a chef apprenticeship or trainee role
- Gain NVQ/SVQ qualifications
- Build experience in various kitchen settings
- Progress to senior or specialist roles, or start your own restaurant
Learn to grow in this role
Practical Job Near Me guides chosen for people in this kind of job.
- Industry Guides2 min read
Hospitality Careers: Pace, Tips, and Progression
Hotels, restaurants, and events run on teamwork and stamina—here is how to build a lasting hospitality career.
- Industry Guides2 min read
Food and Beverage Careers Beyond the Kitchen
Food and beverage careers cover production, quality, logistics, sales, and hospitality ops—not only chef roles—with steady demand across the UK supply chain.
- Career Growth2 min read
Starting Your Job Search With a Plan
A clear weekly plan beats endless scrolling and helps you track real progress.
