How many people are working as chef's?

In the day and age of fast food and corporate restaurants, when it comes to dining the chef is the hero. Even so, they don't make chef's like they used to. Years ago most chef's become so by learning through practical experience and steady development. There were dishwashers in restaurants who slowly worked their way up to chef, by watching and learning until they were promoted from dishwasher to petit fours and garnishe, from there they move up to soups and salads before finally moving up to entree's where they spend years perfecting their craft, first as a line cook and then as sous chef before they've finally achieved the noble status of chef. Today, it's a two year school at the academy of your choice and your a chef. Yeah, right. There are many occupations a chef can find employment in besides restaurant's. The airlines employ chef's, catering companies employ chef's, corporations that sell prepackaged frozen dinners employ chef's, the White House employs chef's, the rich employ private chef's and publisher's of cookbooks are always looking for good chef's. If you want to become a chef, the brief academic opportunity is a good start but remember facts are not knowledge and it will only be through experience, craft and skill that any chef establishes a well earned reputation. Good luck, and bon apetite!