Job Descriptions - Definitions - Career Fields: Chef

Home

Chef

A interest in cooking and the ability to cook, determination, physical fitness, artistic flair, energy, natural authority, a strong sense of responsibility, self-control, no mental or drug or alcohol related aberrations, good organisational skills, a refined palate and adaptability are needed for this highly responsible profession.
A restaurant is only as good as its chef and bland tasting or poorly prepared food gives the establishment a bad name which means that the hotel's reputation suffers drastically. Even the simplest dishes have to be delicious and well presented. A plate of fried eggs floating in a sea of oil could turn even an experienced sailor away from the breakfast room and it is rumoured that some careless chefs have been tarred and feathered by irate, hungry guests!

Cooks from all over the world have invented their own special foods and some of them are internationally recognised. In 1829, American Sylvester Graham made dry biscuits which he named Graham Crackers. In 1892, Henry Perky invented Shredded Wheat and five years later, another American, Charles Post devised Grape Nuts. In 1906 William Kellog started producing Kellogs Corn Flakes.

In the larger hotels, there are many chefs or cooks but as the executive chef, you would be the senior member of the kitchen staff.

* Your assistant would be a sous chef who would act as your deputy when you were not available.

* The position of chef de partie includes both general and specialist duties. General duties include working with the hotplate, supervising the cleanliness of the kitchen and all equipment, obtaining the necessary ingredients for the day's menus and assisting with the training of juniors.

* A garde manager prepares hors d'oeuvres, jellies, aspics, cold sauces and all dishes for a cold buffet.

* A roast cook prepares ovens and spit roasts as well as grilled and fried dishes.

* A patissier prepares all pastries, cakes, tarts, puddings and biscuits.

* A saucier makes all the sauces for the day's menus and prepares meat dishes with special sauces and gravies.


Career Fields


Food and Hospitality

 
 

Courtesy: CareerExpo

If you want to contribute an article (share your views, experiences and thoughts) write in to us at info@123oye.com send us your jobs / career related articles. We promise to give you a chance to put your thoughts across to our visitors.