Chef

Overview

Chefs are professional cooks who are well trained in all aspects of food preparation and presentation. Chefs may choose to specialise in a specific cuisine, and some open their own restaurants or publish cookbooks.

Chefs work in the kitchen of a restaurant or other dining environments such as bars, cafes, hotels and mobile kitchens that cater for events such as festivals, conferences and weddings.

Suits people who can work well under pressure and within time-constraints. An understanding of how flavours combine, the ability to follow complex recipes and a passion for preparing and presenting food are important.

Day-to-day

• plan and design menus
• estimate food and labour costs and order ingredients and supplies
• monitor the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
• discuss food preparation issues with managers, dietitians and kitchen and wait staff
• demonstrate techniques and advise on cooking procedures
• prepare and cook food
• explain and enforce hygiene regulations
• hire and train staff.

Considerations

• irregular hours
• stressful.