Chef Jobs
Types of Chef Jobs
So, you think a chef is just a cook, right? Well, not so. There are many different kinds of chefs and chef jobs. For example, restaurants and hotels have many different positions to offer, with the Chef de Cuisine being of the highest ranking.
The Chef de Cuisine takes care of the menu dishes and chooses the food that is going to be served. In ranking below these chef jobs are the Executive Chefs who create recipes, control costs and perform other administrative tasks. The Head Chef uses this title because he leads the others and delegates tasks as part of his job.
The second in charge when it comes to chef jobs is the Sous Chef. This person makes sure the food meets high standards and is delivered in a timely manner - kind of like a quality control system if you may. The Saute Chefs, also known as the Chefs de Partie, are chef jobs that oversee a certain section within the kitchen. Apprentice Chefs, on the other hand, are those that are in training for chef jobs. A Pastry Chef is the top person in the pastry section and reports only to the Executive or Sous Chef.
Most chefs choose a specialty before applying for chef jobs. Each has his or her own level of study, as well as his or her own rewards. To be successful at chef jobs, one must know how to supervise the kitchen staff, create food displays, garnish a meal, plan menus, store food supplies and stock them. Doesn’t seem like much? Sure, but they have to do this all at one time. Therefore, those interested in pursuing chef jobs must be very flexible and able to multitask.
Choosing the type of chef jobs you want to pursue has to do with your personal preferences, such as what you enjoy doing the most and what is best suited to your personal skills. In most cases, you will become a Commis Chef after completing your education, as these are entry level chef jobs within the culinary industry.
Taking on these apprenticeship chef jobs is a great stepping-stone toward achieving a higher position. Here, you are taught how to work effectively in a kitchen environment, how to use a knife, and how to present a plate properly. You can also observe how stressful working in a kitchen will be. Most try these chef jobs for one year, whereas different chef jobs may have different timelines.
Some states will not hire a person if they do not have this one-year of training experience. Most employers will not train you as they may not have the time or money to put into this type of training. In addition, these chef jobs typically do not pay if they are taken as a part of required coursework.
To find chef jobs that pay, consult with the instructor and ask if there are any paid apprentices available in your community – but, be prepared for the answer to be no. It is very rare to find an employer who will take the time to train a newcomer on how to run a kitchen. That is why it is best to be ahead of the game and be properly trained in the basics before applying for chef jobs.
