Rhoadie's Place

The Culinary Chef
Written by: Rhonda Jones


A career as a culinary chef can be a very rewarding experience. Today we see an abundance of television shows showcasing this exciting craft. However, it is not all glamorous. It takes a lot of dedication to become a chef.

Educational Requirements

There are not many educational requirements for entry level cooking positions, but specialized training is required when seeking advanced career opportunities. Culinary training programs offer many options for aspiring chefs. An aspiring chef can enroll in a two or four-year degree program. There are also programs offering specialized training for chefs who want to teach their trade to others, or those who want to focus on one culinary skill such as baking. Each program includes apprenticeship opportunities which combine classroom instruction with occupational experience. Chefs have to learn a variety of skills that goes beyond the kitchen. Some of them are trained in management; which includes courses in computer software, accounting, as well as food service management. The degree program you select depends on the career track you desire to pursue.

Work Environment and Job Duties

Chefs work in many different environments. Some work in small restaurants while others choose university cafeterias. A chef’s job goes beyond just cooking food. They must be very skilled in measurements, be able to work alongside kitchen staff, and some chefs even have supervisory responsibilities.

The job duties of chefs can vary depending on their place of employment. Some chefs work at a general restaurant where they have to cook various types of foods. Others may work in a more specialized setting such as a seafood lounge. However, all chefs are expected to know how to prepare, cook, and season the food they are serving. They are often creative and know how to present food in an appetizing way. They also have to inspect cooking utensils, and make sure that the stoves, ovens, and grills are in excellent condition.

There are also many different types of culinary chefs. Those with supervisory positions are called head chefs. Head chefs supervise, direct, and coordinate meal preparation. They are also responsible for menu planning, deciding appropriate serving sizes, and ordering necessary kitchen and food supplies. They have great communication skills and know how to lead their team. Many restaurant owners want to have unique recipes that will keep them on the competitive edge. There are special research chefs that create unique recipes for these clients. Families desire the services of personal and private chefs who come into their home and personally prepare meals.

Conclusion

This career field is growing with over 3 million chefs working today in the United States(1) . This number will continue to rise as the demand increases. The average income of a chef is quite moderate and ranges from $27,560 to $46,460 a year(2) .


Endnotes

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos161.htm (visited July 01, 2008).
2 Ibid