PathFinderPathFinder — Career Explorer by StudioQ
Explorer
Any StreamHospitality & Culinary Arts

Chef

A chef plans, prepares and presents food across restaurants, hotels, catering and private kitchens in India. Career paths range from short culinary diplomas and apprenticeships to formal B.Sc/BHM degrees and later managerial MBAs. Chefs often build careers through on-the-job experience, certifications and specialised courses in pastry, regional cuisines or food safety.

Salary range
₹3.5–22 LPA
Job growth
high
Work type
Field
Paths to entry
4 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Join weekend cooking classes or short workshops to learn knife skills and hygiene
  • Explore nutrition and basic food science through books or online courses
  • Volunteer at events to experience catering and kitchen teamwork

Your complete path from Grade 10 to Chef

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

B.Sc / BHM (University degree)
Any Stream

Many institutes admit via institute-specific tests or merit; university B.Sc/BHM gives wider academic scope for management roles.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    —
  3. Degree
    B.Sc Hospitality & Hotel Administration / BHM (3 years)
  4. Colleges
    Ihm Pusa · Ihm Mumbai · International Institute of Hotel Management Iihm
  5. Career
    Chef
Diploma / Certificate in Culinary Arts
Any Stream

Short-term diplomas focus on practical kitchen skills and faster entry into restaurants and hotels.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    —
  3. Degree
    Diploma / Certificate in Culinary Arts (6 months–2 years)
  4. Colleges
    National Institute of Hospitality Management · Taj Training Centre · Culinary Arts Academy India
  5. Career
    Chef
Apprenticeship & On-the-job route
Any Stream

Many chefs progress rapidly through kitchen internships, staging at restaurants and mentorship under senior chefs.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    —
  3. Degree
    No formal degree; apprenticeship, traineeship or stage in restaurants (6–24 months)
  4. Colleges
    Open admission
  5. Career
    Chef
Management / Specialisation (Postgraduate)
Any Stream

MBA or PG diplomas help shift from kitchen roles to restaurant/hotel management and entrepreneurship; top MBA entry requires CAT.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    CAT
  3. Degree
    MBA in Hospitality Management / Postgraduate diplomas (2 years)
  4. Colleges
    IIM Bangalore · IIM Ahmedabad · Ihm Lucknow
  5. Career
    Chef

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
CAT
IIMs
Bachelor's degree 50%+Very HardNov

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

Ihm Pusa
Ihm Mumbai
International Institute of Hotel Management Iihm
Christ University Bengaluru
National Institute of Hospitality Management
Taj Training Centre
Culinary Arts Academy India
IIM Bangalore
IIM Ahmedabad
Ihm Lucknow
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.