Individuals in Wisconsin who want to become chefs must take the time to familiarize themselves with the state and national requirements for entering the profession. These requirements are straightforward and should be easy to fulfill.
However, candidates will be doing themselves a huge favor by understanding all the general requirements and considerations as early as possible. This is why we have provided a comprehensive guide on this page.
The guide contains everything interested individuals need to know, such as educational possibilities, certification requirements, training programs, and salary projections.
How to Become a Chef in Wisconsin
These are some of the most important considerations needed to become a successful chef in Wisconsin.
Step 1: Acquire Theoretical Knowledge
Successful culinary artists in Wisconsin typically work with a strong theoretical foundation. They not only know what to cook and how to do it but also know the principles behind cooking and culinary arts as a profession.
This is why the majority of fresh candidates begin their journeys by attending an academic training program offered by a culinary institution, community college, or vocational School.
By the time they finish training, they will also have the luxury of a diploma, certificate, or associate degree for further career opportunities.
Step 2: Develop Practical Expertise
Developing practical expertise is the main part of becoming a chef or culinary artist. The profession is very hands-on, so the best programs must also provide hands-on learning opportunities for their students.
However, even after completing a training program that includes laboratory and kitchen time, candidates must spend more time developing practical expertise in an actual work environment before they can call themselves professional chefs.
Most professionals in the field start time as prep cooks or line cooks and work their way up here.
Step 3: Job Placement, Networking, & Career Advancement
Lastly, after proper education, candidates secure employment, build a strong professional network and advance their careers through continuing education and certification. We will focus on this portion in the next section.
Explore trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
The American CCulin Federation is responsible for accrediting culinary arts programs in Wisconsin and across the country. However, the federation also offers several credentials and certification opportunities for two wanting to stand out and demonstrate their expertise and professionalism.
While state law does not require candidates to pursue certification, the majority of professionals in the fido sol do so. With these benefits and certifications, chefs in Wisconsin must be prepared to take examinations and pay the appropriate fees for both the exam and the credential.
Certification is also an excellent way to grow in the field. Most credentialing agencies insist on continuing education credits for credential renewal.
Top Culinary Arts Schools in Wisconsin
The schools below offer amazing training programs for future chefs in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI Campus Only
Milwaukee Area Technical College offers a two-year associate degree program in culinary arts at its downtown campus, where students gain hands-on experience by participating in the operations of a cuisine restaurant.
Tuition
$170 - $244 per CreditContact
(414) 297-6004
creativeartspathway@matc.edu
Lakeshore College
Cleveland, WI Campus + Online
Lakeshore College provides a culinary arts associate degree program featuring state-of-the-art facilities and a low student-to-faculty ratio.
Tuition
$149 - $224 per CreditContact
(920) 693-1366
admissions@gotoltc.edu
Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI Campus Only
Madison Area Technical College offers a comprehensive Culinary Arts associate degree program covering essential aspects of the field, including food preparation, safety and sanitation, nutrition, and kitchen management.
Email: businessandappliedarts@madisoncollege.edu
Tuition
$149 - $224 per CreditContact
(608) 246-6003 (Ext. 8)
Email in Bio
Explore culinary arts schools in Wisconsin by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Natural experience plays a key role in determining a chef’s earnings at the end of a year working in Wisconsin. However, experience is not the only factor; educational background, location, and professional credentials are also important.
First, focusing on specific locations, we have the best places to work as chefs in Wisconsin to be the following:
- River Falls, with an annual average salary of $63,091;
- Madison, with an annual average salary of $58,925;
- Green Bay, with an annual average salary of $58,37; and
- Appleton, with an annual average salary of $55,954.
Now, without focusing on a specific factor, the top 10% of chefs in Wisconsin make an annual average salary of $105,73, and the bottom 10% make an annual average salary of $22,030. In the median category, the annual average salary to expect is $48,264.