I oversee 124 cooks and 8 chefs that prepare hundreds of dishes for over 4,000 people every day. My alarm goes off at 3 am and I am in the kitchen by 4:30-5am. The first thing I do is walk the line and check to ensure that everything is clean. I check the product that has come in to ensure freshness and check-in with my chefs to make sure we have everything we need for the day. My day typically doesn't end until 7-8pm.
CAREER
Chefs and Head Cooks
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$53,380
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+6.4% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Chefs and Head Cooks 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.
Other Job Titles Chefs and Head Cooks May Have
Banquet Chef, Certified Executive Chef (CEC), Chef, Cook, Executive Chef (Ex Chef), Executive Sous Chef, Head Cook, Kitchen Manager, Pastry Chef, Sous Chef
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I spend my day cooking and overseeing my kitchen staff to ensure we deliver the best products to our customers. I also do a lot of tasting and experimenting with new flavors for our menu.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Chefs and Head Cooks
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (32%)
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Build leadership skills and learn how to talk to people. The better you communicate, the better things get done.
You have to react quickly and efficiently in order to get things done. You have to love this kind of work because you will be giving up holidays, coming into work early, and leaving late. This work is demanding, so be prepared. Know how to budget and have good financial sense. Knowledge of safety regulations and food quality.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
The food service industry is a trade industry. I have worked in every aspect of the business at this point from bus girl to general manager. My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity to learn every aspect of the business. Take the general business classes in high school if that person wants to own their own business one day. I've seen a lot of restaurants/catering companies come and go and it's usually because the owner does't know what they've gotten themselves into.
Head Chef
Don't be afraid to go outside the box and take risks. As long as they aren't stupid risks, you should be fine. Don't be afraid to get creative and to find out new techniques and new ways of doing things. Find out what skills you aren't proficient in and practice those skills.
When it comes to cooking, school is important to a certain degree. Ultimately, it is about putting in the practice and having the passion to keep growing. Be dedicated to developing your skills over time and allowing it to become a part of who you are.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
