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Chefs and Head Cooks

Also called: Chef, Cook, Executive Chef (Ex Chef), Sous Chef

What they do:

Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

On the job, you would:
  • Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
  • Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
  • Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
On the job, you'll need:

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • food production
  • manufacture and distribution of products

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • talking to others

Social

  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • understanding people's reactions

Resource Management

  • managing your time and the time of other people
  • selecting and managing the best workers for a job

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands

Enterprising

People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.

  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Leadership
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Attention to Detail

Spreadsheet software

  • Google Sheets
  • Microsoft Excel

Instant messaging software

  • GroupMe

Data base user interface and query software

  • Culinary Software Services ChefTec
  • ReServe Interactive

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $56,520

Education

Associate's degree or certificate after high school is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the Hotel & Food industry.