Girard shipped out to sea at the age of 14 and by 1774 was captain of a ship involved in U.S. coastal trade with the West Indies. Stymied by British blockades of U.S. seaports during the Revolutionary War (1775â83), he settled in Philadelphia but resumed maritime trading after the war.
Although it's possible to find employment in kitchens before completing high school, a diploma helps if you want to get full-time work in better restaurants. While you're in high school, you may be able to take vocational classes in food safety, handling and cooking.
It takes about two years to complete a culinary arts degree program. If you excel at cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, becoming a professional chef can help you turn your interest into a full-time job. However, even if you're a natural in the kitchen, you still need professional training to be competitive.