is it necessary to have a formal training to be a competitive chef?

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enrolling in a culinary school is really expensive.i'm just confuse if its really necessary to have a fornal training to be a competitive chef?i've read in some local magazine here in our country articles about known chefs but did not have a formal education in culinary.so,is having a solid experience enough?and if not,can you suggest a culinary scholarship giving body that i can apply to?:)