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Kiondria
Student
Shreveport, Louisiana
3
Questions
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What does it take to be a chef?
What do you have to do to become a chef at a restaurant
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2 answers
Josh Alexy
Software Engineer
2
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Josh’s Answer
There are numerous paths to take, but it's crucial to understand the significant distinction between a Chef and a cook.
A cook is the individual you usually envision laboring in a kitchen. They are primarily responsible for the actual cooking - they utilize existing recipes and collaborate to prepare the meal you enjoy. They also handle tasks like prepping (chopping vegetables, making soups, etc). The entry level for becoming a cook is quite straightforward. Many cooks begin as dishwashers and gradually move to the line (the food preparation area) in a restaurant. Most eateries prefer individuals with prior experience for the cook position, but some might give you an opportunity if you're a home cook who is well-versed with kitchen appliances, tools, and food preparation.
On the other hand, a chef is the one who manages the kitchen. They are the "commander" or orchestrator of all activities, they devise the menu, sometimes handle administrative tasks like food ordering or scheduling, and more. The chef is the creative pillar of a restaurant, ensuring that the meals prepared by the cooks are of high quality. The journey to becoming a chef is more complex and usually involves a mix of culinary school, cook experience, business management experience, and/or innovative vision and creativity.
Not every chef is a culinary school graduate, and not every culinary school graduate becomes a chef. Many individuals attend culinary school and continue as cooks throughout their career, as they may lack the creativity, work ethic, or vision to become a chef.
Becoming a Chef demands a multitude of skills, such as:
1. Work ethic - Chefs often work long hours for relatively low pay.
2. Cooking proficiency - You don't have to be the best cook, but you need to have a high level of kitchen proficiency and be capable of cooking every dish on your menu.
3. Vision and creativity - As a chef, you're responsible for designing the menu, creating a concept, and weaving it all together.
4. Business Acumen - Crafting a menu and becoming a chef is challenging, as a restaurant is a business. You need to comprehend aspects like labor costs, margin, and more.
You don't need to master all these skills simultaneously, but they develop over time, with experience and passion. Begin with small steps, start working in a kitchen as soon as you can to see if it's a fit for you, and then, if it is, take the necessary steps to acquire the skills required to become a top-tier chef.
Get a job in a kitchen as soon as possible - a dishwasher, cook, anything you can to see if you like it
Observe the other members of the team, how they work, ask questions, learn as much as you can
If you enjoy working in a kitchen, decide if you'd like to attend culinary school
A cook is the individual you usually envision laboring in a kitchen. They are primarily responsible for the actual cooking - they utilize existing recipes and collaborate to prepare the meal you enjoy. They also handle tasks like prepping (chopping vegetables, making soups, etc). The entry level for becoming a cook is quite straightforward. Many cooks begin as dishwashers and gradually move to the line (the food preparation area) in a restaurant. Most eateries prefer individuals with prior experience for the cook position, but some might give you an opportunity if you're a home cook who is well-versed with kitchen appliances, tools, and food preparation.
On the other hand, a chef is the one who manages the kitchen. They are the "commander" or orchestrator of all activities, they devise the menu, sometimes handle administrative tasks like food ordering or scheduling, and more. The chef is the creative pillar of a restaurant, ensuring that the meals prepared by the cooks are of high quality. The journey to becoming a chef is more complex and usually involves a mix of culinary school, cook experience, business management experience, and/or innovative vision and creativity.
Not every chef is a culinary school graduate, and not every culinary school graduate becomes a chef. Many individuals attend culinary school and continue as cooks throughout their career, as they may lack the creativity, work ethic, or vision to become a chef.
Becoming a Chef demands a multitude of skills, such as:
1. Work ethic - Chefs often work long hours for relatively low pay.
2. Cooking proficiency - You don't have to be the best cook, but you need to have a high level of kitchen proficiency and be capable of cooking every dish on your menu.
3. Vision and creativity - As a chef, you're responsible for designing the menu, creating a concept, and weaving it all together.
4. Business Acumen - Crafting a menu and becoming a chef is challenging, as a restaurant is a business. You need to comprehend aspects like labor costs, margin, and more.
You don't need to master all these skills simultaneously, but they develop over time, with experience and passion. Begin with small steps, start working in a kitchen as soon as you can to see if it's a fit for you, and then, if it is, take the necessary steps to acquire the skills required to become a top-tier chef.
Josh recommends the following next steps:
Christopher Brooks
Personal Chef
6
Answers
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
If it is your passion, be relentless with the opportunities. Be willing to start anywhere. Jump at the opportunity to do a task outside of your responsibilities. Always be ready to learn something new. Be humble but confident in your abilities. Be consistent and reliable