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A chef is a creative and highly skilled cook who can not only prepare a delicious meal but can present it as a work of art. In addition to creativity, a good chef needs a healthy dose of motivation and desire, an ability to make split-second decisions, a thick skin to withstand criticism, and a facility for multi-tasking. A good sense of smell and taste is also a must. A person with these attributes can become a good chef but will need to do so in stages. A future chef will starting at the bottom and work his/her way up the ladder by going to school but by also realizing that much of the training needed in this profession is acquired on the job.
What does a chef do?
Chefs have varying degrees of responsibility, depending on their level and the type of restaurant they work in. Generally speaking, they are responsible for preparing a wide variety of creative and high-quality dishes on a daily/nightly basis, and within cost. To this end, chefs need to do any or all of the following:
Being a chef is a very physical profession. Chefs find themselves spending an inordinate amount of time on their feet in a scorching hot kitchen whose room temperature is often 95 degrees or higher. Much of a chef's time is spent stirring and chopping foods while at the same time supervising the varied duties of the kitchen staff. For this reason, a good chef must be adept at multi-tasking. Chefs are under constant pressure to prepare meals quickly, while at the same time ensuring quality is maintained and safety and sanitation guidelines are observed.
There are actually a number of different varieties of chef, depending on the type of restaurant. Smaller restaurants may employ only one chef. Larger restaurants may have several chefs, each with his/her specialized area of responsibility. In this type of setting, the Executive Chef (or Head Chef) oversees every aspect of the kitchen operation, including menu creation, direction of the kitchen staff, personnel management, and business transactions (planning, budgeting and purchasing). A Sous Chef (also known as an Assistant Chef) is the second-in-command and runs the kitchen in the absence of the chef. Station Chefs (also known as "Line Cooks") are in charge of a particular area of production. Some examples of specialized Station Chefs include the following:
Job opportunities for chefs are expected to be plentiful because of the continued growth and expansion of food services outlets and because of the large turnover rate of this occupation. However, those seeking the highest-paying positions will face keen competition. Earnings vary greatly by region and by the type of employer. Highest wages can be found in elegant restaurants or hotels and in major metropolitan and resort areas. The latest national, state, and local earnings data can be found here.
What steps should one follow to become a chef?
How can a person become a GREAT chef?
Becoming a chef is not something that happens overnight. It takes years to become highly accomplished and well known in this field. It also takes the right kind of person to be a good candidate for this profession. A strong desire to be a chef is a good starting point; however, success in the field also requires a sound working knowledge of what the profession is like and what steps are necessary to become not only a competent chef but an outstanding one. An aspiring chef who is not only motivated but also armed with this knowledge can hit the ground running in getting started on a journey towards a rewarding career as a chef.
Resources for chefs
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