Job Responsibilities of a Head Chef
Some of the primary duties and responsibilities of a head chef are:
- Implementation and creation of an innovative menu by doing research
- Adapt to the new trends as favored by customers
- Ensure that a standard is maintained in the menu
- Carry out a detailed and all inclusive supervision of the kitchen brigade
- Supervision of stock control and kitchen inventory
- Recruitment and training of kitchen staff
- Maintaining GP and all the other budgetary targets
- Keep an eye on the overall health and safety of the entire kitchen staff
- Decides the menu specials, the size and amount of the portions and garnishing
- Doing analysis on all of the purchases that are required to be made
- Establishing rules, routines, etc. related to cleanliness
- Monitoring food quality and presentation
Academic, Prior Experience and Training
In order to climb up the stairs of success in this job, individuals need to have a college degree in culinary arts along with some hands on work experience in the industry of food and hospitality management. The course work while training would include:
- Artisan Breads
- Culinary Fundamentals
- Quantity Production
- Supervision for Food Service Professionals
- Fine Dining
- Sanitation
- Cost Management
- Beverage Management
- Table Service
Skill Set
If you want to be the head chef then you must possess certain abilities and skills, such as standing for a long duration, carrying heavy stuff, withstanding a cold environment, bear the heat during the cooking process or even being able to give orders for expediting. You must also have the ability to be quick in your reaction during any kind of emergency in kitchen or any other places. Having basic first aid knowledge is a must, along with great hand eye coordination, skills with the knife etc. Communication and interpersonal skills are also important besides a flair for experimenting with new recipes.
Prior Experience
Often the workers in the food service paradigm begin their vocational pursuit at very young ages from around 16 to 19. Starting at such an early age it is obvious that by the time they start moving up in the designations from the preliminary positions of Prep Cook or assistant they manage to gather a lot of practical knowledge and work experience that comes in handy by the time one becomes a Head Chef.
Employment Outlook
Career Prospects (globally)
The employment opportunities for Chefs are enduring to develop as the food and beverage industry is on a boom. Chefs who can manage to put up a positive profit margin and create high quality and tasty popular dishes will never need to search for employment. Employment opportunities for head chefs lie in restaurants, casinos, resorts, etc. Individuals can also choose to become a personal chef creating meals and lunches for families. Possible positions that may arise are:
- Personal Chef
- Sous Chef
- Executive Chef
- Pastry Artisan
- Restaurant Manager
Salaries
As already said earlier the salary of a head chef directly depends on the standard of the establishment, its location and also its type. The average salary drawn by an Executive Chef fluctuates amid $62,670 and $98,009 per year.
With the Food and Beverage industry preserving to develop, the call for qualified and competent Chefs continues to be on the rise. So interested candidates can very well go ahead and try their luck. The hospitality industry is booming as people love to dine out. It is also among the largest employment sector today. To pursue a job as a head chef, one should be qualified, experienced and must have top level skills.
