How Much Money Do Chefs Really Make?

Culinary school provides students with the tools and skills necessary for a career in the food world, but how valuable is it really, in terms of securing future employment? Eater Investigates looks into the origins of culinary education in America, and compares the rising cost of tuition to the average trained chef’s salary, with bleak results. So why are culinary school enrollment numbers at an all-time high? Watch for current students’ take on the reason they decided to attend, and their hopes for the future.

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[Castellan_Chris]

Nobody spends all that money and time to go to culinary school to work for someone at $15 a hour. The end goal is to open your own restaurant. So you can cut out your idiot boss/owner thats profiting off your cheap labor. You either go to a established school or apprentice under a very reputable chef (assuming they even want your ass). You do this to network and also make a reputation for yourself. Also you can learn not only cooking but the business aspect of it too.

[zoremgonzaga]

Watching the people smile while eating your dish will be the greatest pleasure for chef .. In the end it's still for passion

[Dokegz]

It's not about how low your salary, it's about passion. Your passion for food, enhance your skills and when you're ready to go. Maybe have your own classic restaurant someday. No matter what is it, if you love it, you'll do it. Make your dreams become a reality.

[joeguernsey]

I started cooking in my first restaurant at the age of 18. I needed a flexible schedule so that i could get my degree in CIS. I learned very quickly that sitting behind a desk looking a computer all day is not for me. The rush of a printer that never stops on friday and saturday night has been my drug if choice for the last 20 years. In those 20 years of working the industry I have worked alongside and/or supervised probably 25 Culinary School grads. Of those 25, about half couldn't handle it. Weed out on an average Wednesday night and then walk out on a busy Friday night. Some didn't know how to improvise when we ran out of something. Others insisted that there was only one way to make something. Remember kids... There are 1, 000, 001 ways to make a pot of chili. And every single one is wrong. Personally, I have never been to culinary school. I know what I know from some great chefs and the good old fashioned on the job training. I have nothing against those that have or that want to. Remember, school does not make you great at this job. Desire, drive and passion do. Maybe a little insanity mixed in there. The desire to WOW people with every single plate that leaves the kitchen. The drive to constantly push yourself to make the perfect plate. And of course the passion for food. To anyone out there that is actually reading this, you have to remember two things about this business:

1) No job is beneath you. Even though I am the Executive Chef, I still get in the dishroom and bust out the dishes better than most dishwashers I have ever had. If you get sent to shuck oysters, you do it with a smile and become the best oyster shucker in the restaurant.

2) I have lived by this one since high school... Be kind to others on your way up or you will meet them again on your way back down.

Best of luck to everyone.

[sweetncool]

I went to culinary school & I learned a lot of things I didn't know. I work in a kitchen now where I'm the only culinary school graduate, but I get paid almost 20% more for doing the same job as others (well a bit more because I have more skills) you get out of culinary school what you put into it. my advice. work in a kitchen while you're in school or before. see if you really like it. some people don't know what they're getting into & can't handle a real kitchen

[litwik]

Culinary student at one of my local colleges and I've learned that there's a lot more to becoming a chef than what I had thought. If you want to enter this field, you need to learn that it isn't about the money but the passion. Being a chef is a lot more difficult than people think; standing on your feet all day, sweating in a hot kitchen, being yelled at...some may think, that's not worth it for what you make! If you're truly passionate, then those things won't matter to you.

[eater]

Thanks for all the stories in the comments about going to culinary school. Keep them coming. It seems like everyone has a pretty unique experience and there is a ton more to say about this.

[biggybg]

I went to culinary school. I was attracted to the food industry because of the Food Network and shows like Top Chef. It seemed glamorous. Holy fuck was I wrong. It's a grind. If you're thinking about going to one of these schools or into the industry, just now you need to absolutely love cooking.

In regards to the the technical aspects of cooking, individuals can probably learn as much reading high level cook books. What books can't teach is the experience of the line. My culinary school tried to establish the controlled chaos you would experience in a restaurant but nothing can compare to the real thing.

[areujokingme]

2 years ago I attended the culinary program at the Art Institute International in Minneapolis for about 15 weeks before I dropped out. I was learning useful things that have stuck with me since, throughout my career, but the most learning has come on the job since I've dropped out, and it's the kind of stuff they simply can't teach you in a school setting.

I think the fact that culinary schools are often for profit is rather tragic. The Art Institute International felt more like a business than an institution of higher learning, and every day we'd get another sales pitch for the education we were receiving within the same breath, and by the time I left I felt duped.

If you want to work in a kitchen, get a job as a dishwasher at the nicest place you can find and work your way up. Show interest in the cooking. Ask people what they're doing. Ask if you can help. The truth is that food is endlessly fascinating and even the most experienced chefs among us can learn things.

[anthonyfootball]

you gotta own your food place ... thats the goal

[PipeLineShockStudios]

People dont realize that chefs are tradesmen. We are a trade. We are the lowest paid out of all trades. Its actually a little sad. 12 hour shift are and a non 9-5 schedule deserves better pay especially since fast food is asking for 15/hr

[yzwme]

$60, 000 is a very good wage if you are single. I take it these kids in this video still live with their parents. If you can't live comfortably off 60k you suck at managing money. Simple as that.

And also, before you go to culinary school. Get a line cook job first/dishwasher job like I did and work your way up. See if you can handle a rush, 20 plus tickets flying out and people screaming at you for the food. I worked in a fine dining restaurant with no schooling started off as a dishwasher and worked my way up quickly. We had culinary grads at my work but they couldn't handle the pressure so they gave me more opportunities because I could.

TV glamorizes it and you have to love it and be able to handle stress very well. It's a lot of fun and it can be glamorous at times but you gotta be willing to work hard first.

[noblelies]

It's easy to say it's worth it if someone else is paying for it. But, if you're personally taking out $120K in student loans to get a $60K/yr. job, you are insane and will soon hate your life.

[Rsantiago]

I am a culinary student who eventually wants to own a restaurant and travel. Sure money is low pay but I am able to defend for myself at home on my day offs. I have a feeling the culinary industry will get big in the near future. After all, it’s just now starting in the US.

[cgurungplayers]

My 12 years of experience as cook, I'v found them(culinary students) doing the same thing just dont want to talk about new stuffs...they are always like " I was never taught his" "this should be like this" theres no passion ... If u really want to earn money, do something waste your time n money doing culinary courses if u want to do the same like them....and about chefs salary, you can earn lot more than this video is showing but u'r not gonna make it without passion, hard work, creativity, ....but.I still recommend "culinary school" it!!!

[bobbybrown]

I think it’s a mix of schooling and experience at the same time. I decided to get my culinary A.S. From my local community college while working. I became an Executive Chef and continued my education from a university in hospitality management later. I think community colleges that have a culinary program are better in the long run for future chefs I was only 5k in debt instead of 70k

[CaptainAR]

Im have a Computer Science major BUT I have studied Culinary Art.

People dont become chef for the wage. They do it for passion, personal or for business.

[DelusionalB]

I have wanted to be a chef ever since I was little it has always been my dream when I was little I even drew a picture of me as a chef I hope some day when I become a professional chef I could atleast have been able to tell my younger self you finally made it bella you finally made it but I hope that time will come soon 👩🏻‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳👍🏻😊😌☺️

[CHEFPKR]

This is interesting. I should talk about Culinary school as someone who graduated from the system and have been in the field since.

[navi]

I got my associates degree in culinary arts and another associates degree in baking and pastry arts but then I decided that was more interested in the hospitality management side. And just recently I just got my bachelors degree in hospitality management.