Private household cooks: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Private household cooks, sometimes called personal chefs, plan and prepare meals in private homes, according to the clients tastes and dietary needs. They order groceries and supplies, clean the kitchen, and wash dishes and utensils. They also may cater parties, holiday meals, luncheons, and other social events. Private household cooks typically work full-time for one client, although many are self-employed or employed by an agency, regularly making meals for multiple clients.
- Education Required
- Vocational cooking schools, professional culinary institutes, and some colleges offer culinary programs for aspiring cooks. These programs generally last from a few months to 2 years and may offer courses in advanced cooking techniques, international cuisines, and various cooking styles. To enter these programs, candidates may be required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Depending on the type and length of the program, graduates generally qualify for entry-level positions as a restaurant cook.
- Training Required
- Most cooks learn their skills through on-the-job training, usually lasting a few weeks. Trainees generally first learn kitchen basics and workplace safety and then learn how to handle and cook food.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 6% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- The American Culinary Federation certifies chefs, personal chefs, pastry chefs, and culinary administrators, among others. For cooks seeking advancement to higher level chef positions, certification can show accomplishment and lead to higher paying positions.
- Median pay: How much do Cooks make?
- $22,850 Annual Salary
- $10.99 per hour
Careers for Cooks
- Banquet cooks
- Breakfast cooks
- Cafeteria cooks
- Camp cooks
- Certified personal chefs
- Chefs de partie
- Falafel cart cooks
- Fast food fry cooks
- Fast-food cooks
- Fraternity house cooks
- Fry cooks
- Fryline attendants
- Galley cooks
- Griddle attendants
- Griddle cooks
- Grill cooks
- Institution and cafeteria cooks
- Institutional cooks
- Line cooks
- Mess cooks
- Personal chefs
- Personal cooks
- Private chefs
- Restaurant cooks
- Sauciers
- School cooks
- Short order fry cooks
- Short-order cooks
- Snack bar cooks
- Specialty cooks
- Vegetable cooks