• French chef are world-renowned for their training and skill level.cooking utensils image by VisualEyez from Fotolia.com
  
  The French are known to take their cooking and the skill of their chefs very seriously. The passion and enthusiasm surrounding French cooking makes France a magnet for both aspiring and seasoned chefs. There is no set way to become a chef in France, but there are steps you can take to ease your introduction to French cuisine and French professional cooks.
  
  

Develop French Cooking Skills

• Before exploring becoming a professional chef, be sure that you have mastered basic techniques. Your knife handling should be precise and quick. Know how to cut and cook all types of meat, especially those that are most popular in French cooking. Become familiar with the French palate by understanding spices and ingredients, especially regional variations, often used in French cooking. Know French cooking terms and understand basic cooking instructions in French.
  
  

Graduate from an Accredited French Culinary Institute

• The French are known for appreciating individuals who have proven themselves at respected institutions, and this is no different in the world of French cooking. Americans who wish to become French chefs should apply to accredited French cooking programs such as Le Cordon Bleu or The French Culinary Institute. Not only do these programs develop cooking skills and build your repertoire of French dishes but they can also serve as an introduction to your future French colleagues.
  
  

Apprentice in a French Restaurant

• Above all, French chefs respect other chefs who can create culinary masterpieces and who cook with individuality and inspiration. Once you have received your technical training at a culinary institution, offer to apprentice in a French restaurant. There is a strict hierarchy in French kitchens, and becoming a chef can take years of hard work. Serving as an apprentice is an invaluable opportunity to learn from proven professionals and to test out new techniques and dishes in a challenging and responsive environment.