To become a professional chef, you must have a strong foundation in cooking, kitchen management, and food safety. These are all skills that are typically taught in high school culinary programs. Without this education, you may not be able to find a job in a professional kitchen.
However, there are some career paths that do not require a high school diploma, such as working as a line cook, prep cook, or server in a restaurant. It is also possible to attend a vocational school or community college to earn a certificate in culinary arts, which may be enough to find work as a chef in a small or independent restaurant.