Chef
Chefs plan and organise the preparation and cooking of food
in a number of settings.
A chef may perform the following tasks:
- plan menus and work out food and labour costs together
with the head chef
- plan staff rosters and supervise the activities of cooks
and assistants
- discuss food preparation issues with managers,
dietitians and other staff members
- order food, kitchen supplies and equipment
- demonstrate techniques to cooks and advise on cooking
procedures
- prepare and cook food
- divide food into portions, and add gravies, sauces and
garnishes
- explain and enforce hygiene regulations
- select and train staff
- freeze and preserve foods.
In larger establishments, the chef de cuisine or head chef
generally does more supervision than cooking. Senior chefs
have to attend staff meetings, where they discuss problems
related to their areas and receive or issue instructions to
other managerial staff. In small restaurants, the head chef
may prepare food, assisted by other cooks or apprentices. As
well as expert cooking knowledge, chefs involved in
supervision need a general knowledge of the skills and
activities of all their workers.
The range of duties carried out by chefs will vary
depending on where they work. Chefs may be required to work
shifts, including weekends and public holidays. The work may
be stressful, especially at peak hours of the day.
Chefs may specialise as a:
Chef de Cuisine who is the head chef or first chef.
Chef de Partie who may be a chef specialising as a
larder cook, butcher, pastry cook, sauce cook, roast cook,
relief cook, side-dish cook, breakfast cook, canteen cook or
fish cook.
Commis Chef who is a cook who has just completed an
apprenticeship or has an equivalent qualification.
Demi Chef who is a chef specialising in a particular
type of cooking as part of the kitchen brigade.
Sous/Second Chef who is the second-in-charge in the
kitchen.
Required Skills - Chef
- a high level of personal cleanliness
- enjoy cooking
- able to organise efficient work schedules
- good communication skills
- punctuality
- flexibility to perform shift work on a 24-hour rotating
roster as required
- able to work under pressure and stay calm in difficult
situations
Similar Jobs - Chef
Find work - Chef
Job Search - Chef
|
