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
Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Pusa
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
NCHMCT JEE
IHM Mumbai
Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai
Central GovtMumbai, Maharashtra
NCHMCT JEE
IIHM
International Institute of Hotel Management
PrivateKolkata, West Bengal
IIHM e-CHATDirect Admission
Christ University
Christ University
Deemed UniversityBengaluru, Karnataka
Christ University Entrance TestCUET
National Institute of Hospitality Management
Taj Training Centre
CAAI
Culinary Arts Academy India
PrivatePune, Maharashtra
MeritDirect Admission
IIM Bangalore
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Central GovtBengaluru, Karnataka
CATGMAT
IIM-A
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
AutonomousAhmedabad, Gujarat
CATGMAT
IHM Lucknow
Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Lucknow
Central GovtLucknow, Uttar Pradesh
NCHMCT JEE
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.