Chef

Working as a chef is a highly rewarding, prestigious career. Chefs can find employment at luxurious hotels, restaurants, and more. Due to the growth of the travel and hospitality industry, the demand for well-trained chefs is on the uptake. According to recent market research, the chef position will soon become the most coveted and well-paying job in the hotel industry.

Chef duties and job description can vary among different facilities. A main component of the chef’s job description is the administration and monitoring of the foods that are being prepared. Senior chefs oversee the performance of the lower chefs, and are usually seen as a sort of guide to ensure that the foods are being prepared to their utmost potential. Another responsibility of the chef is to perform regular quality monitoring of the foods in the kitchen as they are served to guests. While the lower-level chefs spend the majority of their time actually preparing food, senior chef staff is expected to take over the responsibilities of menu preparation. The senior chef will determine the best presentation, portion sizes and food quantities to be served to the guests.

Chefs maintain contact with both vendors and guests to ensure that the dining experience is memorable. Chefs also perform such operations as ordering supplies and maintaining detailed daily production records. Chefs perform calculations to determine the costs involved in preparing various menu items. When the kitchen is in need of new supplies or equipment, the chef will locate, acquire and purchase the necessary items.

Chefs prepare standardized recipes and plans to ensure the quality of prepared food items. Another important component of the chef job description is to ensure the safety, hygiene, and cleanliness of all kitchen areas. This includes preparation, food storage, and serving methods. Senior chef staff investigates guest complaints and finds the easiest way to resolve them. A senior chef may also be responsible for hiring skilled professional chefs and kitchen staff, and may organize and conduct training programs for kitchen staff.

Chef salaries have been on the rise for the past several years and are expected to continue this upward turn. A typical chef’s salary can vary based on skills, education, qualifications and past experience. Culinary arts school graduates can generally expect a higher salary and more complete benefits package. The mid-range salary for an experienced chef can be nearly $65,000 each year, and an experienced executive chef can earn a great deal more annually.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The salary range for Chef begins around $30,000 and usually tops out around $100,000, with a mean in the neighborhood of $65,000. This is about 50% higher than the national average for annual salaries.

In order to qualify for most Chef positions, you typically need to have a Certification or higher.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The growth outlook for Chef careers is estimated at about 18% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Chef jobs are expected to grow at a 78% higher rate than the national average for annual salaries.