Chef Salaries in United Kingdom

The average salary for a Chef is £33,039 per year in United Kingdom. Salaries estimates are based on 4345 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Chef employees in United Kingdom.

The highest salary for a Chef in United Kingdom is £71,808 per year.

The lowest salary for a Chef in United Kingdom is £22,220 per year.

Chefs often work late into the night. Their wages vary by region and employer, however, pay is usually highest in upscale restaurants and hotels, as well as in major metropolitan and resort areas. Salary can vary from entry-level trainee roles to celebrity chefs. The highest paid chefs typically have attended specialised culinary institutes. Some chefs eventually open their own restaurant, and publish their own cookery books. Chefs who own their own restaurant can work to advertise their services and grow their own customer base.

To make more money in your career as a chef , consider a bachelor's degree in culinary arts. Since it's not required at most establishments, it demonstrates a higher level of knowledge, skill, and dedication to your craft, and should start you on a higher salary as a chef. Next, focus on gaining as much experience as possible, whether through hands-on internships, part-time roles, or on-the-job training. Not only should you master making diverse dishes from scratch, but you should be able to plan menus, order ingredients, handle a kitchen team, manage food safety procedures, and be on top of time management. Certification through the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) underscores your role by highlighting executive-level skills. Bear in mind that salaries vary widely depending on the prestige of the restaurant and location. You could work anywhere from your local eatery to a cruise ship.

When negotiating salary in your job as a chef, always ask what the kitchen budget is. The budget range for culinary professionals varies considerably from one restaurant to another and widely depends on location, setting, and experience level. Seek out establishments with the highest budget in your area of expertise, and negotiate a 5-10% increase. If the salary range for sous-chefs runs between £20,000 to £30,000, for instance, negotiate toward £30,000 by demonstrating a higher level of kitchen knowledge, skill, training, and experience than your peers. Always factor in benefits, such as extra holidays or job flexibility, and get any bonuses down in writing.

About 62.52% of Chef professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional £8,143 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Chef in United Kingdom as a good salary.

Chef professionals in United Kingdom have a wide total pay range, between £17,788 and £217,267 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of £33,039 following the average career path of a Chef.