Chef

What does a Chef do?

• Chefs and Dinner Cooks are responsible for the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of various soups, meats, vegetables, desserts and other foodstuffs for the public.
• They must be able to prepare every item on their menu.
• Cooks generally have less formal training or experience.
• Specific tasks include estimating and ordering food purchases, regulating cooking temperatures, measuring and mixing ingredients, and preparing serving plates.
• Chefs direct the activities of all kitchen personnel and do menu development.
• In large kitchens, an executive Chef directs activities of other chefs.
• They may also be responsible for training of their assistants.
• Tasks include: Chefs and Dinner Cooks in large restaurants may supervise other staff or may be assigned a 'Station' or to one cooking operation.

Salary and Employment Outlook:

EDD Labor Market Information

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Typical Employers:

Chefs and dinner cooks work for:

• Restaurants,
• hotels
• private clubs
• luxury resorts
• company or plant cafeterias
• department stores
• on steamships
• correctional institutions
• school and college cafeterias and/or restaurants
• catering services
• hospitals and convalescent homes
• They also work for shipping lines, although foreign lines usually hire in the country of the ship's registry.

Preparation:

Increasingly it is recommended that prospective cooks take formal training in food preparation, such as that offered at community colleges. However, many Dinner Cooks and Chefs learn informally on the job, starting as a Kitchen Helper in a restaurant or as a Fry Cook in a fast food establishment, then becoming an Assistant Cook, and then a Cook in a restaurant. Some four-year colleges offer programs of study. You can also get training and experience in the military. Apprenticeship is another excellent way to obtain training, but few apprenticeships are available. You can also get experience as Short Order Cooks and Domestic Service Workers.

Educational Program(s):

Food Service

Related Programs: Apprenticeship, Hotel and Motel Management

DVC Certificate Program in Culinary Arts:

What does DVC offer?

 

Web Resources:

ShawGuides' Survey of Leading Chefs

EDD Labor Market Information

Chefnet.com

Culinary Arts and Food Science Career Guide

Careers through Culinary Arts Program

On the Cutting Edge - Culinary Arts Careers

Culinary Arts Schools & Cooking Institutes

RestaurantJobs.com