Chef Apprenticeship Program

Program length: 12 weeks (4 days/week, 5 hours/day)

The Snapchef culinary apprenticeship program combines supervised on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Snapchef is the largest culinary training, staffing and placement company in New England. This free program is just one facet of our unique culinary education experience developed by our team of current and former executive chefs, and former faculty from some of the nation’s leading culinary institutions.

With the end goal of launching your culinary career, our chef apprenticeship program equips adults with varying skill levels to develop new technical abilities while earning an income. Snapchef has training facilities in Boston, Providence, Springfield and Worcester, where chef apprentices undergo instruction — taking place in commercial kitchens environments — as well as on-the-job training.

chef apprenticeship

Program Framework

Our cook apprenticeship curriculum covers:

You’ll develop a philosophy and understanding of what makes for excellent kitchen behaviors and blunders to avoid. We will also explain how the program works, along with introductions to staff and project mentors (case workers).

You’ll learn the dangers inherent in every kitchen and what to do should an injury occur. We’ll cover everything from slips and falls to equipment found in every kitchen. You’ll also learn the principles of safe lifting, knife and slicer safety, and more.

You’ll gain and learn how to maintain a ServSafe mentality in the kitchen.  You’ll assess Critical Control Points in the kitchen; focus on cross contamination avoidance; and proper storage of food. You’ll also build and maintain HACCP systems in the kitchen with your team. And finally, you’ll learn how to monitor systems and take corrective action when things go wrong.

You’ll learn why the utility worker is so important to culinary operations. You’ll learn how to use, care for, and clean professional equipment. You’ll also learn how to do this important job safety, which contributes to your ServSafe Certificate in Workplace Safety.

You’ll prepare food from recipes, prepare food from a chef’s list, and learn how to assist the chef.

You’ll gain knife skills and learn how to use common food prep equipment.

You’ll learn how to prepare for, setup, slice, wrap, weigh, and fulfill customer orders. You’ll prepare deli products, learn how to properly store them, keep records of quantities used, and more.

You’ll learn how to prepare and organize a busy salad bar. You’ll prepare standard foods found in a salad bar, sanitation issues when replenishing a salad bar, how to interact with the customer, and how to break down the salad bar properly.  

You’ll learn how to prepare, setup, create, bake, and serve at a pizza station. You’ll learn how to prepare a variety of pizzas; wash, peel, and cut various foods; and more.

You’ll learn how to prepare and organize yourself on a busy grill for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll learn how to prepare standard foods, how to interact with the customer, and how to break down the station.

Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices receive the following:

  • A Snapchef Certificate
  • A ServSafe® Foodhandler Certificate
  • Employment opportunities as a result of our corporate partnerships

Snapchef’s culinary apprenticeship program is registered with Massachusetts’ Office of Apprentice Training, a division of the Department of Workforce Development. The program was also recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for its curriculum and contribution toward workforce development.

From our Boston Apprentice Program:

Program Requirements

To enroll (and remain enrolled), all prospective apprentices must adhere to the following:

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Avoid chronic absenteeism and tardiness
  • Attend, participate, and maintain the highest possible grades
  • Be involved and show dedication to your training — both in the classroom and on the job
  • Show respect for the chefs and skilled journey persons training and supervising you
  • Comply with the provision of the Apprentice Agreement
  • Follow your sponsor’s written work rules and policies (as part of on-the-job training)
  • Complete 240 hours of classroom instruction; and
  • Complete at least 2,000 hours of supervised, on the-job learning

If you’re serious about starting your career, apply for Snapchef’s chef apprenticeship program today!

From our Springfield Apprentice Program: