How long does it take to become a Cook?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a cook. That is the time it takes to learn specific cook skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Do cooks make good money?

No, cooks usually do not make good money. The average annual wage for restaurant cooks is under $30,000. Entry-level positions start at $25,350 per year, while most experienced workers earn $38,090 per year.

How do I become a cook with no experience?

You can become a cook with no experience by working your way up the kitchen hierarchy. You can start as a dishwasher or a prep cook and make your way to the position you wish to have. By starting at a lower position in a restaurant, you can build a relationship with management. You are more likely to achieve a cooking position with no experience if you work up to it.

How do I start a career in cooking?

To start a career in cooking, you will need to go to culinary school. Going to culinary school is especially valuable in learning how to become a cooking professional. If you don't know what area of the field you want to work in most, culinary school is an excellent way to figure that out.

Prep Cook vs Line Cook

A prep cook is a person who prepares the ingredients for a meal, while a line cook is a person who cooks a meal. A prep cook is an employee on a kitchen staff team that handles the ingredients that go into making specific dishes from a restaurant's menu. They need to have a basic understanding of cooking and have a strong attention to detail. Tasks of a prep cook include managing inventory of kitchen ingredients, restocking, measuring ingredients, and cleaning duties.

What qualifications do you need to be a cook?

To be a cook, you will need qualifications such as culinary experience, knowledge of food safety procedures, and personal training. Many businesses will not hire a cook that has no experience. It's beneficial to have some experience working in the food industry or a kitchen professionally.

How To Become A Cook: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cook and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A cook is a person who prepares and cooks food using various techniques in settings such as restaurants, hotels, and catering companies. They manage operations such as ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment while ensuring that dishes are cooked perfectly. Cooks must have good communication skills and work in a fast-paced environment. Their job is important as they need to have a passion for food to satisfy customers' needs.

ScoreCookUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,803

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.2

Growth Rate 16%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.21%

Asian 8.48%

Black or African American 10.21%

Hispanic or Latino 17.16%

Unknown 4.83%

White 58.10%

Gender

female 29.84%

male 70.16%

Age - 37

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37

Stress Level

6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

4.3

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.4

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Cook?

Pros

Opportunity to work with a team and develop strong relationships
Satisfaction from providing delicious meals to customers
Potential for advancement in the industry
Opportunity to gain experience in different types of cuisine
Potential for higher pay and tips in certain establishments

Cons

Physically demanding work that can be tiring and exhausting
Exposure to high temperatures, sharp knives, and other potential hazards
Need to work well under pressure and multitask effectively
Often low pay or minimum wage, especially for entry-level positions
Limited opportunities for creativity in certain establishments with strict menus or recipes

Key steps to become a cook

Explore cook education requirements

Most common cook degrees

High School Diploma

45.5 %

Associate

20.1 %

Bachelor's

15.6 %

Start to develop specific cook skills

Skills	Percentages
Food Handling	14.39%
Food Service	9.91%
Cleanliness	9.89%
Kitchen Equipment	9.45%
Basic Math	6.76%

Complete relevant cook training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cooks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cook based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cook resumes.

Gain additional cook certifications

Cook certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific cook certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for cooks include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

More About Certifications

Research cook duties and responsibilities

Achieve completion to cook, prep and dish meticulous meals to an immense amount of customers with proficient dexterity quality.
Organize production and set up broiler station for lunch shift, manage grill with 30-40 steaks at varying temps and cuts.
Lead cook line and instruct cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of dishes.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.

Prepare your cook resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cook resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cook resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Cook Resume templates

Build a professional Cook resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Cook resume.

Apply for cook jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a cook job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do cooks rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Cook reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022

Cons

None

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021

Pros

A total time you spend knowing and communicate and get attachment to the clients