Culinary chefs are highly skilled cooks who provide leadership in the kitchen.
A culinary chef oversees the food service operation of a restaurant. A chef directs cooks within the kitchen. He applies his artistry and knowledge of food to create and prepare recipes.
Roles
A chef plans menus and directs the preparation of food, according to College Board. She supervises an entire kitchen staff and may work long hours within a hot kitchen. She makes sure standards and regulations are met when it comes to food preparation and sanitation.
Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2008 Employment and Wage data, the median annual salary for a chef was $38,770. Salaries ranged from below $22,120 to above $66,680.
Employment
According to the BLS May 2008 data, full-service restaurants hired the most chefs and head cooks and offered an average salary of $39,930.
Environment
Chefs can be found within restaurants and other food service facilities, according to the BLS. Chefs work inside the kitchens, which can be hot, crowded and have potential dangers, including hot ovens and slippery floors.
Education
Executive chefs, head cooks and sous chefs in fine-dining restaurants may be required to have completed a culinary training program and have years of experience, according to the BLS.
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