Before you decide on a career as a chef, think about these things :
• Am I genuinely interested in food?
Though being a chef is about many more things than just food, a genuine and passionate interest in food, it's preparation and service is essential. You have to love to create great food and be determined that everything you serve will be the best you can make it.
• Am I creative?
Not just creative in your choice of ingredients and how you combine them but also in presentation; every chef will tell you that how you present the dish is just as important as how you cook it.
• Am I prepared to study?
It take s a great deal of time and effort to become a great chef. Again, it's not just about being able to cook, it's about so much more -- it's about how you present your food and yourself, how you handle people (colleagues and customers), how you run your business or conduct yourself as an employee. That's after you've studied to be a chef in the first place!
• Do I have the motivation?
Given the above, you'll need motivation and plenty of it. There will be hard times, times when you begin to wonder if you really want to do this. You need to be 100% sure and 100% motivated to continue. Only then will you become a great chef.
• Can I multi-task?
A kitchen is a fast-paced and frentic environment; you'll need to be able to juggle tasks, keep a number of different (sometimes contradictory) things in mind at once and stay calm. Multi-tasking is an essential skill for a chef.