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Chefs plan and organise the preparation and cooking of food in a number
of settings.
A
chef prepares, cooks, arranges and presents food that is served in dining
establishments such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, cafeterias, aeroplanes,
cruise ships and work camps. Chefs that work in large establishments may
specialise in a particular cuisine, such as Japanese or Thai.
A chef is also responsible for managing kitchen operations, purchasing
foodstuffs, and keeping the kitchen clean and hygienic. Other
responsibilities include receiving and storing provisions, planning menus,
and training and supervising other staff.
ANZSCO description:
351311:
Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining
or catering establishment.
Specialisations:
-
Chef de Cuisine
- A chef de cuisine is the head or first chef.
-
Chef de Partie -
A chef de partie may specialise as a larder cook, butcher,
pastry cook,
sauce cook, roast cook, relief cook, side-dish cook, breakfast cook, canteen
cook or fish cook.
- Commis Chef
- A commis chef is a cook who has just completed an apprenticeship or has an
equivalent qualification.
-
Demi Chef de Partie
- A demi chef de partie is the second in charge of a particular section of the
kitchen.
- Sous Chef/Second Chef
-
A sous chef/second chef is the second-in-charge in the kitchen.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A chef
needs:
- an
enjoyment and appreciation for cooking
- high
standards of personal hygiene
- a
commitment to safe work practices
- an
awareness of nutritional information and eating trends
- good
stress management, with an ability to work quickly and efficiently under
pressure
-
physical fitness to stay on their feet for long periods of time
- the
flexibility to work shifts, evenings, weekends and irregular hours.
Duties and Tasks
Chefs may perform the following tasks:
- plan menus and work out food and labour costs
- plan staff rosters and supervise the activities of cooks and
assistants
- discuss food preparation issues with managers, dietitians and other
staff members
- order food, kitchen supplies and equipment
- demonstrate techniques to cooks and advise on cooking procedures
- prepare and cook food
- divide food into portions and add gravies, sauces and garnishes
- explain and enforce hygiene regulations
- select and train staff
- freeze and preserve foods.
Working conditions
In larger establishments, the chef de cuisine or head chef generally does
more supervision than cooking. Senior chefs have to attend staff meetings,
where they discuss problems related to their areas, and receive or issue
instructions to other managerial staff. In small restaurants, the head chef
may prepare food, assisted by other cooks or apprentices. As well as expert
cooking knowledge, chefs involved in supervision need a general knowledge of
the skills and activities of all their workers.
Often a chef is expected to work long hours and weekends, in sometimes hot
and humid conditions. Evening and weekend work can interfere with personal
commitments and shift work can be tiring. Cuts and burns are common injuries
for chefs as they work with sharp knives and hot appliances.
A chef can also expect to change employers often, in order to gain more
experience or to be promoted.
Tools and technologies
Depending on the type of restaurant, a chef may be expected to use a range
of cooking appliances and utensils. They will also be required to adhere to
strict hygiene standards, and this may require the use of hair nets or hats.
Their work is generally indoors in dining establishments, but in some
circumstances, such as working in the armed forces, they may work in the
'field,' using a mobile kitchen.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a chef, you usually have to complete a chef apprenticeship. The
apprenticeship usually takes 36 months to complete and is available as a
school-based apprenticeship.
You can also become a chef by completing a Certificate IV in Commercial
Cookery. The course is offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered
training organisations throughout Australia.
Did You Know?
Just like a household kitchen, commercial kitchens use many common
appliences to make their job easier.
For example, prior to Stephen J. Poplawski's invention of the blender in 1922,
chefs would have to push soups through sieves or cloths in order to make them into a
smooth puree.
Dave Walia prepared and cooked a meal single-handedly for
1,081 guests in 50 hr. 30min. at Fissul, Silves, Algarve,
Portugal between October 22-24, 1998!
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