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.
On-the-Job Training. Many chefs learn their skills through on-the-job training in restaurants or other kitchens. Some begin as dishwashers or other support staff, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while others start out as cooks. Rising to chef through experience alone takes many years.