What are the steps to becoming a chef?

What's the steps in becoming a pastry chef and owning your own business?

• Answer:

  The easy way would be to go to culinary school and learn the business that way - build the contacts necessary to go out on your own. Another way would be to get a job as an entry level pastry "cook" at a bakery/restaurant and build your reputation organically. Another way would be to take out loans from a bank and just go for it - but if you have no experience getting a loan would be a challenge. Or..........you could try making some select item in your home and then selling it through some other outlet - I know a local restaurant in my area that sells these fantastic pies that some women sells via them. Another local Mom/Pop specialty grocery store (everyone buys meat) sells pies made by another small baker. This way you could build your reputation while working for yourself w/o a huge investment. Once you establish yourself, then getting the loan to move to a bigger place, hire people etc would be easier.