How to Become a Vegan Chef in 3 Simple Steps

Decades ago, the culinary arts were less complicated than they are now. An aspiring chef learned the techniques and tenets of great cooking, and perhaps studied a specific regional cuisine or specialized in pastry. Nowadays, with diets and food allergies becoming more prevalent, a chef has more choices as to their specialty. Vegan cooking, for example, is more popular every day - opening up doors for chefs who can make vegan food accessible and delicious. 

If you have a passion for living a vegan lifestyle or are just interested in making delicious vegan food available to the public, perhaps a future as a vegan chef is a good fit  for you! But where does a person start when they're considering this path? Here are three simple steps to becoming a vegan chef:

1. Plot Your Path

While all chefs need specific training in the kitchen, it's important to first know where you want to go before you choose the program that's right for you. For example, a sous chef doesn't necessarily need the sort of business management training that an executive chef or restaurant owner needs.

A good culinary arts program will ideally cover what an aspiring chef needs to know, both in terms of cooking technique and the ins-and-outs of working in a professional kitchen. Make sure you'll be learning at least that much, in order to give yourself the most solid foundation possible. After that, it's often just a matter of putting in the training required to complete your program.

2. Understand the Vegan Demand

Let's face it: While vegan food is popular and getting more exposure all the time, there are certain areas (such as small towns and cities) where it may not yet have gained the sort of appeal it enjoys in large cities. Review your options in your area - and then be open to creating your own opportunities if relocating isn't something you're keen to attempt.

Perhaps starting your own vegan catering business is the right path for you, or opening a vegan bakery. You could even become a personal chef, or supply health-conscious parents with pre-prepped vegan dishes that they can feel good about sharing with their kids at the end of a long day. After all, just because your area doesn't feature many vegan alternatives doesn't mean there are no health-conscious residents - your training and ingenuity could be fulfilling a need you didn't even know existed!

3. ABT . . . Always Be Training.

A chef's training doesn't end when their culinary arts program does. Yes, having the diploma proving that you're qualified to work is a great start - but any good chef needs to be willing to constantly improve their work. This is especially critical in vegan cooking, since alternative cooking and baking techniques are being improved all the time. In order to really make your food stand out from the crowd, it has to be enticing and delicious—and if you can find new ways to put a vegan spin on old classics without sacrificing taste, you're sure to be a hit. So even after you've completed your culinary arts training, make it a point to stay on top of current trends, ingredients, and techniques.

Ecpi #Culinary school sooooo excited. .. pic.twitter.com/5ffahbRJIM

— Lakisha Lilly (@lakisha_lilly) August 4, 2015

Take the First Step toward Becoming a Vegan Chef

Does becoming a vegan chef sound good to you? Take the next step by finding out what our Culinary Nutrition program could do for you. An Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts and Applied Nutrition from ECPI University could help you get your start as a vegan chef. The best part is, this degree can be earned in as little as 15 months! Imagine, just a little over a year from now, having the foundation in place to begin a whole new life in the culinary arts. A stellar future as a vegan chef could be much closer than you think, so contact us today. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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