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Chef

Also called sous-chef, commis chef, chef de partie

Chefs are culinary professionals with a flair for creativity and innovation to provide a unique gastronomic experience.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 16 countries now. 52 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,400 (Bulgaria) to €6,600 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree.Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Chefs · ILO

What you'd do

Chefs · ILO
  • Planning and developing recipes and menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies
  • Monitoring quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
  • Discussing food preparation issues with managers, dieticians, kitchen and waiting staff
  • Supervising and coordinating the activities of cooks and other workers engaged in food preparation
  • Inspecting supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure conformity to established standards
  • Determining how food should be presented, and creating decorative food displays
  • Instructing cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food
  • Participating on the recruitment of kitchen staff and monitoring their performance
  • Preparing, seasoning and cooking speciality foods and complex dishes
  • Explaining and enforcing hygiene and food safety regulations
Use reheating techniquesPlan menusUse culinary finishing techniquesHandover the food preparation areaUse cooking techniques+ 14 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Chefs and Head Cooks"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

16 EU countries are short of chefs now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals in the EU
3.99m3.83m4.95m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
915,000 new jobs 1,198,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals52
All jobs29
Right now
16 of 27 countries report a shortage of chefs, 4 a surplus.
Chefs · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,400 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,600 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 44%Vocational 33%General secondary 15%Basic schooling 8%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.25 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Planning and developing recipes and menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies0.38
Discussing food preparation issues with managers, dieticians, kitchen and waiting staff0.28
Explaining and enforcing hygiene and food safety regulations0.27
Participating on the recruitment of kitchen staff and monitoring their performance0.27
Supervising and coordinating the activities of cooks and other workers engaged in food preparation0.26
Instructing cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food0.24
Inspecting supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure conformity to established standards0.23
Determining how food should be presented, and creating decorative food displays0.22
Monitoring quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation0.18
Preparing, seasoning and cooking speciality foods and complex dishes0.16

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for chefs. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).