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What does a Chef do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A chef is a highly trained and skilled professional cook who is responsible for the preparation of food in a restaurant. A chef's duties include menu planning, ordering and purchasing food, supervising kitchen staff, and ensuring that the food is prepared to the highest standards.

Chef job duties include:

  • Overseeing kitchen operations
  • Coordinating work among cooks and other food preparation workers
  • Checking the freshness of food and ingredients
  • Planning menus and estimating food and labor costs
  • Ordering supplies and equipment
  • Monitoring sanitation practices and following safety procedures
  • Training new cooks and other food preparation workers
  • Developing new recipes
  • Supervising the work of pastry chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers

Chef Job Requirements

A chef is a professional cook who is responsible for the overall operation of a kitchen. They are typically employed by restaurants, hotels, caterers, and other food service establishments. Chefs typically have many years of experience in the kitchen and often hold a culinary degree or certification.

Chef Skills

  • Cooking
  • Food Preparation
  • Knife skills
  • Sauce making
  • Searing
  • Sautéing
  • Grilling
  • Roasting
  • Baking
  • Broiling
  • Frying

Related: Top Chef Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Chef

There are many different types of chefs, from those who work in small restaurants to those who oversee the kitchens of large hotels or catering companies. There are also private chefs, who cook for a single individual or family. However, all chefs share a passion for food and cooking. If you want to become a chef, here are a few things you need to know.

First, it is important to get some formal training. Many chefs start out by attending a culinary school, which can give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in the kitchen. There are also many apprenticeship programs available, which allow you to learn from experienced chefs while working in a professional kitchen.

Second, it is important to be able to work well under pressure. When you are working in a kitchen, there are often tight deadlines and high standards that must be met. This can be stressful, but it is important to be able to stay calm and focused in order to produce the best food possible.

Third, it is important to have good people skills. As a chef, you will be working with other kitchen staff on a daily basis. It is important to be able to communicate effectively and work well as part of a team.

If you have a passion for food and cooking and are willing to put in the hard work, then becoming a chef could be the right career choice for you!

Related: Chef Resume Example

Related: Chef Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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