2 answers
2 answers
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Ann’s Answer
Hi Tommy,
There are many valued traits in a chef, including: well-temperament, creativity, passion, dedication, patience, ability to multi-task and manage others, and willingness to experiment and taste different ingredients. Well regarded, expert chefs frequently spend long hours looking into sourcing of ingredients, cooking techniques, perfecting the cooking techniques, coming up with recipes/dishes, profitability, and working with others to complete the dishes to their often high standards. In addition, chefs need to consider their target customers' preferences and may have to perform modifications for consumer preferences, so they must be well-tempered and willing to adapt to changes/modifications to support customer preferences. There are a few documentaries on chefs/cooking which you could watch to understand what their lives are like. It can be a rewarding job, but can also require a lot of dedication, focus, and hours to perfect the craft. It might be helpful to get experience by working in a restaurant or cafe to see what the job is like.
There are many valued traits in a chef, including: well-temperament, creativity, passion, dedication, patience, ability to multi-task and manage others, and willingness to experiment and taste different ingredients. Well regarded, expert chefs frequently spend long hours looking into sourcing of ingredients, cooking techniques, perfecting the cooking techniques, coming up with recipes/dishes, profitability, and working with others to complete the dishes to their often high standards. In addition, chefs need to consider their target customers' preferences and may have to perform modifications for consumer preferences, so they must be well-tempered and willing to adapt to changes/modifications to support customer preferences. There are a few documentaries on chefs/cooking which you could watch to understand what their lives are like. It can be a rewarding job, but can also require a lot of dedication, focus, and hours to perfect the craft. It might be helpful to get experience by working in a restaurant or cafe to see what the job is like.
Updated
Dan’s Answer
First and foremost, a successful chef must have a strong fervor and perpetual love and dedication for cooking. The role of a Chef can be highly demanding both physically and mentally. Working 10-12 hour days is not that uncommon. You must be equipped to think quickly on your feet, be a highly organized/ critical thinker, very creative. Have a even keeled personality, with the ability to keep your temper under control when things get crazy in the kitchen( and they will). Multi-tasking is an obvious given, a willingness to learn new things and be able to be flexible under stress. I worked as a chef many years ago. I enjoyed it for awhile but did not have the perpetual love and passion necessary to continue in it as a career. For the right person, it can be a highly rewarding and satisfying career. Get out and get some hands on work experience in restaurants etc. and talk to as many Chefs as you can, to gain a better sense of what the job entails, so you can ultimately make a well informed decision if whether to pursue or not pursue it as a career. All the best to you in making your ultimate career decision.
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