So you want to know how to become a culinary school instructor. If you are already a seasoned baker, chef or other type of culinary professional, this could be the logical next step for you. If you are just starting out in the culinary industry, however, you should know that it will probably take a while before you’re ready to start teaching others. There’s no reason you can’t have this goal in mind as you establish your career, though. Here is what you need to do to make it happen.

Before anything else, you will have to finish a culinary degree if you haven’t already done so. You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in the culinary arts to teach this subject, and a master’s degree would be even better. There are programs at traditional colleges, culinary schools and online universities. Once you have your degree you will need to get three to five years of experience in the industry before you can realistically start applying for teaching jobs. Focus on building your skills in all aspects of cooking and baking so you can impart them to others when you begin teaching, and learn how to be a good communicator.

If you’ve been working in the field for a while you can begin teaching some classes in community centers and other alternative settings to get some good practice. Teaching groups such as elementary school children, seniors and individuals with disabilities can provide great classroom experience to boost your résumé. You’ll need to include any prior teaching experience along with your employment history, key skills and at least three quality references when you are applying to work as a culinary school instructor. Colleagues and supervisors are the best references, although one personal reference is also acceptable.

You may need to develop a sample lesson plan or fulfill other various requirements when you apply to work as a culinary school instructor, so learn what they expect prior to applying. If you get the job you can expect to make around $37,000 annually, but there is room for advancement with experience and merit.