What Is a Chef

What Is a Chef?
A chef is an individual who oversees the culinary staff and wears quite a few different hats with regard to what goes on in their workplace. Frequently a chef will oversee the staff, place orders for culinary items and direct the overall preparation of the food which is served in the dining establishment. From time to time, the chef will also don the apron and help to prepare the meals as well.
General Responsibilities of a Chef
One who holds the title of chef has quite a few different general responsibilities related to their professional role. The chef is responsible for overseeing all who work below them in the establishment and ensure that their duties are being carried out to the fullest of their potential. An individual who is a chef will also be responsible for planning the set menu items and any specials as well as provide the recipes in most cases. In addition, the chef is usually responsible for placing food orders and necessary kitchen tool orders in order to enable the preparation of the meals. The chef will also address any complaints which affect his kitchen staff and resolve those issues. One who is the chef of the establishment may also like to get behind the burners and engage in some cooking and food preparation as well.

Specific Duties of a Chef

An individual who is a professional chef has a wide array of specific duties that they must carry out on a daily basis. The first duty which is overly encompassing in and of itself is that of overseeing subordinates in their daily work environment. The chef is responsible for overseeing all individuals who work under their charge in the kitchen. This list can include everywhere from assistant executive chefs to the kitchen preps. The chef will oversee the preparation of meals and ingredients, final presentation, sanitary issues and timeliness on the part of the employees, to name just a few duties related to the managerial position of the chef.

The chef is also the main planner...