Chef facts for kids
A sushi chef at work
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Vocational |
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Food Hospitality |
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Education required
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Apprenticeship |
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Related jobs
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Baker |
A chef is a person who cooks food for a living. They work in places like restaurants, hotels, or even schools. In a big professional kitchen, the word "chef" usually means the person in charge of everyone else. This main chef is often called the executive chef.
The head chef is responsible for almost everything about the food. They buy the food, hire and train kitchen staff, and create the menus. They also decide on the recipes, which are the detailed instructions for how to cook each dish.
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What Does "Chef" Mean?
The word "chef" comes from a French phrase, chef de cuisine. This means "chief of the kitchen" or "head of the kitchen." In English, we now use "chef" to mean any professional cook. So, whether someone makes quick meals or fancy dishes, they can be called a chef.
Different Chef Roles
In a professional kitchen, there are many different roles. These roles are often part of a system called the brigade de cuisine. This system was created by a famous chef named Auguste Escoffier. Each role has a special title and specific tasks.
The Head Chef: Chef de Cuisine
The Chef de Cuisine is the main boss of the kitchen. You might also hear them called the executive chef or head chef. They are in charge of everything that happens with the food. This includes:
- Creating new menus.
- Managing all the kitchen staff.
- Ordering and buying food supplies.
- Making sure food costs are controlled.
- Designing how the food looks on the plate.
In big hotels with many restaurants, an executive chef might oversee all of them. In smaller places, the head chef handles these duties.
The Second-in-Command: Sous-Chef
The Sous-Chef de Cuisine is like the assistant manager of the kitchen. They are the second-in-command, working directly under the head chef. Their jobs can include:
- Making staff schedules.
- Taking over when the head chef is not there.
- Checking the kitchen's supplies.
- Making sure the kitchen is clean and organized.
- Helping to train other kitchen staff.
- Checking that food products are used in the right order.
Some smaller kitchens might not have a sous-chef. Bigger kitchens might have more than one.
Station Chefs: Chef de Partie
A chef de partie is also known as a "station chef" or "line cook." This chef is in charge of a specific cooking area or "station." For example, one chef de partie might only cook grilled foods. In large kitchens, a chef de partie might have assistants. But in many kitchens, they work alone in their area.
Apprentice Chefs: Commis Chef
A commis chef is a basic chef in larger kitchens. They work under a chef de partie to learn how a station works. A commis chef might have just finished cooking school. Or they might still be training to become a full chef.
Other Kitchen Roles
The brigade system includes many other specialized chefs. Here are some of them:
| English Name | French Name | What They Do |
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| Sauté chef | saucier | Cooks sautéed dishes and their sauces. This is a very important position. |
| Fish chef | poissonnier | Prepares fish dishes and their sauces. They often cut and prepare the fish too. |
| Roast chef | rôtisseur | Cooks roasted and braised meats, and their sauces. |
| Grill chef | grillardin | Cooks grilled foods. |
| Fry chef | friturier | Cooks fried foods. |
| Entrée preparer | entremétier | Prepares hot appetizers, soups, vegetables, pastas, and starches. |
| Soup chef | potager | Makes all the soups. |
| Vegetable chef | légumier | Prepares all the vegetables. |
| Roundsman | tournant | Fills in for other chefs when needed. They can work at any station. |
| Pantry chef | garde manger | Prepares cold foods like salads, cold appetizers, and meat dishes. |
| Butcher | boucher | Cuts and prepares meats, poultry, and sometimes fish. |
| Pastry chef | pâtissier | Bakes pastries, cakes, breads, and desserts. They might have their own separate kitchen. |
Kitchen Helpers
Kitchen helpers support the chefs. There are two main types:
- Kitchen-hands help with simple food tasks. They might peel vegetables or wash salads.
- Stewards or kitchen porters are in charge of washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.
In smaller kitchens, one person might do both of these jobs.
A communard is a chef who prepares meals for the kitchen staff during their shift. This meal is often called the "staff meal" or "family meal."
Related pages
Images for kids
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A chef preparing a truffle for diners
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French chef painted by Théodule Ribot (1823–1891)
See also
In Spanish: Cocinero para niños
