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Original poster

Opinions on Chef Apprenticeships

7 replies

ineedmoresleepnow · 02/09/2026 21:08

Evening All.

I'm hoping to gather some opinions from school leavers and their parents on chef apprenticeships for a research project I am undertaking.

The rough questions I have:
Would/have you considered a chefs apprenticeship?
Why or why not?
Would you choose a work based chefs apprenticeship over a college based catering course?
Did you get any careers advice prompted or unprompted about the hospitality industry at school?
Would you consider the hospitality industry a good place to work?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated and would help me with my research into the shortage of chefs in the hospitality industry. Any information provided would be treated with complete anonymity.

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
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Rowgtfc72 · 05/09/2026 14:53

Most school leaver apprenticeships are poorly paid.
Dds coming to the end of a 3yr mechanics apprenticeship. Fortunately reasonable daytime hours but I assume chef hours are split shifts or unsociable hours.
Dd works alongside someone who did the college course instead. Shes earnt while she's learnt and has had much more hands on experience which makes her more saleable to employers.

TeenToTwenties · 05/09/2026 14:47

My SIL did hospitality at college. It covers more than just 'chef' as it included all the front of house stuff too.

I think for a youngster really keen on actual cooking an apprenticeship would be good but I would be very wary of what hours they would end up doing, the atmosphere, and time to do the required written work. The hours especially as a 16yo won't be able to drive so late nights or early could be very difficult dependent on location.

i think it would be good for your hotel chain to try it. But they would need to be willing to put the effort in training the young person.

SNESRainbowRoad · 03/09/2026 12:26

Straight out of school, I used to work at a restaurant that offered the hospitality apprenticeship which seemed like a non-qualification that wouldn’t lead to better prospects so I didn’t sign up. I would have jumped at the chance to do a chef apprenticeship instead.

Original poster
ineedmoresleepnow · 03/09/2026 10:43

RowennaRaven · 03/09/2026 06:37

My DD considered it but went for food science instead, due to the reputation of chefs being angry aggressive men and the intensity of the work.

Thank you, this is really useful!

OP posts:
Original poster
ineedmoresleepnow · 03/09/2026 10:43

Thank you HopeMumsnet.
I should have probably given a bit more background apologies.
I am a long time member and spend far too much time on here 🤣, reading more than posting though.
I currently work in hospitality, for a large hotel chain, but in head office not operations and the research is for a managememt qualification but will also help at work decide whether introducing apprenticehips would help with chef shortages.
I have done internal research with management, chefs and hr. But young peoples opinions about hospitality and chefs apprenticeships would also be very useful.
Thank you.

OP posts:
MNHQ
HopeMumsnet · 03/09/2026 08:00

Hi all,
Just to say thanks for those who flagged this as spam, much appreciated, however this MNer has been with us for a long time, we think that the thread should be interesting and it's in the right place so do all feel free to respond if the subject chimes with you.

RowennaRaven · 03/09/2026 06:37

My DD considered it but went for food science instead, due to the reputation of chefs being angry aggressive men and the intensity of the work.

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