What are Chefs and Head Cooks
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.
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Common Job Titles
Sushi Chef
Salad Chef
Executive Chef
Culinary Chef
Pantry Chef
Head Chef
Sous Chef
Head Cook
Chef
Kitchen Supervisor
Pastry Cook
Chocolatier
Personality & Work Styles
Dependability
Leadership Orientation
Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Innovation
Achievement Orientation
Self-Control
Initiative
Cooperation
Adaptability
Work Activities
Training and Teaching Others
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Developing and Building Teams
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Coaching and Developing Others
Getting Information
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Work Environment
E-Mail
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Time Pressure
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Spend Time Standing
Frequency of Decision Making
Contact With Others
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
Telephone Conversations
Skills You Will Receive
Monitoring
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Active Learning
Learning Strategies
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Other Attributes Important To Know
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Expression
Fluency of Ideas
Originality
Problem Sensitivity
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Information Ordering
Related Careers
Bakers
Cooks, Restaurant
Cooks, Private Household
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Food Service Managers
Cooks, Short Order
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
Food Batchmakers
Technology/Tools Used
Time accounting software
Analytical or scientific software
Data base user interface and query software
Financial analysis software
Electronic mail software
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Web page creation and editing software
Spreadsheet software
Instant messaging software
Office suite software
Work Values
Independence
Recognition
Achievement
Relationships
Working Conditions
Support
Knowledge You Will Receive
Administration and Management
Administrative
Economics and Accounting
Sales and Marketing
Customer and Personal Service
Personnel and Human Resources
Production and Processing
Food Production
Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology
Education Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 3
Tasks Associated with This Career
Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
Check the quantity and quality of received products.
Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.
Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.