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Chef

A chef turns ingredients into dishes that people want to order again. They cook, taste, invent recipes and keep an eye on the freshness of products and the cleanliness of the kitchen. If you love experimenting in the kitchen, enjoy feeding your family and friends and notice why one dish tastes better than another, this career could be a good fit.

Chef

Working as a chef is not only creative. It also takes speed, precision and stamina: long hours on your feet, heat and orders that must go out on time. On the plus side, the path into the profession is clear, and over time experience and skill can help you grow into a head chef, open your own cafe or work abroad.

What the job involves

  • Cooks dishes following recipes and technical cards
  • Receives products and checks their quality and expiry dates
  • Prepares sauces and semi-finished items before service
  • Plates and serves dishes on time
  • Follows hygiene rules and keeps the kitchen in order

Skills you need

  • Sense of taste

    Helps you understand how ingredients and spices work together.

  • Speed and organisation

    During a rush you have to cook several dishes at once without forgetting anything.

  • Stamina

    Chefs spend long hours standing in a hot room.

  • Neatness

    Cleanliness and precision matter for food safety and consistent flavour.

  • Teamwork

    A kitchen is a tight team where everyone is responsible for their own station.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Bodily-kinesthetic
  • Naturalistic
  • Interpersonal

UNT subjects to take

State grants 2026

Main competition, full-time study. Quotas and separate state orders can have lower scores. Check your chances

Where to study

The most common route is college. After grade 9 you can enter a catering or cookery programme, which usually takes about three to four years, and less after grade 11. You do not need the UNT to enter college. Studies combine theory with plenty of practice in training kitchens and real restaurants.

If you want to grow into restaurant management or food technology, you can continue at university, where a bachelor's degree takes four years. For example, Almaty Technological University trains specialists for the food industry. UNT profile subjects depend on the programme you choose, so check them on the university website. Short courses and internships are useful too.

Outlook

Chefs in Kazakhstan work in restaurants, cafes, hotels, school and workplace canteens, catering companies, food courts and food delivery services. Good cooks are needed in big cities, smaller towns and tourist areas alike. Over time many chefs specialise in a particular cuisine or in pastry, and some open their own business.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the UNT to become a chef?

No, you enter a cookery programme at college based on your school certificate, without the UNT. You only need the UNT if you decide to go to university, for example to study food technology.

How long does it take to train as a chef?

At college it usually takes about three to four years after grade 9 and less after grade 11. There are also short courses, but they teach basic skills rather than a full professional qualification.

What is the difference between a cook and a head chef?

A cook prepares dishes at their station, while a head chef leads the team, creates the menu and is responsible for purchasing and quality. People usually become head chefs after several years of kitchen experience.

Is this career right for you?

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