Acquiring the necessary skills to become a chef in New Hampshire is not enough; candidates entering the discipline must also ensure that they are well-positioned for career growth. Like most professions, long-term success as a chef is usually a function of early preparation.
For this reason, the guide on this page discusses not only the steps required to become a chef in New Hampshire but also additional optimizations and considerations necessary for long-term career opportunities. After breaking down the educational requirements and training options, we examine continuing education, networking, and certification opportunities.
We also break down top training programs, business requirements, and annual average salary projections based on available data.
How to Become a Chef in New Hampshire
The approach outlined below is necessary for individuals residing in New Hampshire to enter the culinary arts discipline.
Step 1: Develop Fundamental Attributes
A passion for cooking is necessary to become a successful chef or culinary artist. Candidates should also have at least a high school-level knowledge of basic science and home economics.
A high school diploma or a GED is also required to enter a culinary arts training program in New Hampshire, and sometimes to secure employment.
Step 2: Educational Approaches
All prospective chefs in New Hampshire must ensure that they develop strong expertise in the various educational aspects of the profession.
- Theoretical Expertise
Developing theoretical expertise in a classroom environment can be very valuable for a future chef. It ensures that professionals not only know how to cook but also understand the principles behind their craft, including nutritional benefits, the history of the profession, safety principles, chemistry, and biological science, among others.
- Practical Competence
Training programs typically allow candidates to learn in kitchens and laboratories, ensuring that their theoretical expertise is consolidated with practical proficiency.
- Real-World Competence
After theoretical and practical training comes real-world competence. During an internship, for example, newly trained chefs can leverage their skills in a real work environment to build the confidence needed to secure a full-time position.
Step 3: Employment
Once they are properly trained, individuals in New Hampshire can become successful chefs with minimal obstruction. Specialization and certification are two strategies they can leverage to have a clear career focus and enjoy rapid career advancements.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Chefs in New Hampshire are not expected to be certified or licensed. They are expected to have a food handler’s license, but this is a general requirement for any professional working in food preparation.
Despite its optional nature, the majority of chefs still choose to become certified. They do so because certification can be a great way to demonstrate competence and legitimacy.
It also offers networking and continuing education opportunities.
In pursuit of certification as a chef in New Hampshire, professionals typically look to the American Culinary Federation for guidance. One of the most popular credentials offered by the federation is the Certified Culinarian credential.
Top Culinary Arts Schools in New Hampshire
All of the institutions below have produced successful chefs and culinary artists in New Hampshire.
White Mountains Community College
Berlin, NH Campus Only
White Mountains Community College offers a two-year Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts.
Tuition
$215 - $490 per CreditContact
(603) 342-3077
tgiles@ccsnh.edu
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH Campus Only
The University of New Hampshire offers a Culinary Nutrition and Food Studies program that covers food preparation, safety, and dietary principles.
Tuition
$15,520 - $36,170 per YearContact
(603) 862-2231
Jennifer.Chadbourne@unh.edu
Lakes Region Community College
Laconia, NH Campus Only
Lakes Region Community College in Laconia offers a Culinary Arts program that combines foundational culinary courses with management training.
Tuition
$215 - $490 per CreditContact
(603) 366-5387
wwalsh@ccsnh.edu
Explore culinary arts schools in New Hampshire by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
As with any other profession in any other destination, the annual average salary of a chef in New Hampshire will depend on key factors such as experience and work environment. The highest-paid chefs in the state earn an average salary of $106,186, while the lowest-paid chefs still earn an average salary of $30,885.
A professional’s educational background, professional network and credentials, business strategy, and specific location within the state will also influence their salary. The majority of chefs in New Hampshire fall into the median category, making an annual average salary of $57,267.
Hanover and Portsmouth are the cities with the highest salaries for chefs in the state, with an average annual salary of $70,434 and $68,406, respectively. Those who work in Dover make around $67,189 per year.