Chefs and Head Cooks

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $30K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $39K
Median Salary: $53K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $71K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $90K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.

Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.

Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.

Check the quantity and quality of received products.

Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.

Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.

Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.

Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.

Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.

Recruit and hire staff, such as cooks and other kitchen workers.

Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.

Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.

Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.

Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.

Plan, direct, or supervise food preparation or cooking activities of multiple kitchens or restaurants in an establishment such as a restaurant chain, hospital, or hotel.

Record production or operational data on specified forms.

Arrange for equipment purchases or repairs.

Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes or menus, taking into account such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients or the likely number of customers.

Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff.

Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or banquets.

Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices or order supplies.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Nutrition analysis software
Data base user interface and query software
ReServe Interactive
Desktop publishing software
SoftCafe MenuPro
Electronic mail software
Email software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Sage MAS 90 ERP
Financial analysis software
Delphi Technology
Instant messaging software
GroupMe
Internet browser software
Internet browser software
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
EGS F&B Control
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software
ADP eTIME
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Domestic appliances
Garbage compactors
Domestic kitchenware and kitchen supplies
Apple corers
Fire protection
Kitchen fire extinguishers
Industrial refrigeration
Blast chillers
Institutional food services equipment
Boning knives
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Food Production
94%
Importance

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Customer and Personal Service
83%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management
81%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Production and Processing
81%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Personnel and Human Resources
80%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Education and Training
78%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Mathematics
78%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language
75%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Public Safety and Security
73%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Economics and Accounting
71%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Top 10 Skills
Coordination
80%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring
78%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking
78%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management
78%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Listening
75%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking
75%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
73%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Management of Personnel Resources
73%
Importance

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Social Perceptiveness
73%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Service Orientation
68%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
80%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
78%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
75%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Information Ordering
73%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Inductive Reasoning
70%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision
68%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Originality
68%
Importance

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities
Developing and Building Teams
89%
Importance

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
89%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others
88%
Importance

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Training and Teaching Others
87%
Importance

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
86%
Importance

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities
86%
Importance

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Thinking Creatively
86%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
85%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information
85%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

Check quality of foods or supplies.

Monitor activities of individuals to ensure safety or compliance with rules.

Order materials, supplies, or equipment.

Coordinate activities of food service staff.

Inspect facilities, equipment or supplies to ensure conformance to standards.

Create new recipes or food presentations.

Train food preparation or food service personnel.

Estimate supplies, ingredients, or staff requirements for food preparation activities.

Plan menu options.

Determine prices for menu items.

Cook foods.

Coordinate timing of food production activities.

Perform human resources activities.

Plan special events.

Communicate with customers to resolve complaints or ensure satisfaction.

Schedule equipment maintenance.

Record operational or production data.

Manage food service operations or parts of operations.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

Education
Majors
Major
Culinary Arts and Related Services
Interests
Enterprising
100%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Realistic
81%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
67%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Social
48%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Conventional
39%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative
19%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
95%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Initiative
93%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility
92%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Leadership
92%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Stress Tolerance
92%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Attention to Detail
91%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Persistence
89%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Self Control
89%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Integrity
88%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Achievement/Effort
87%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Work Values
Independence
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Achievement
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Relationships
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Working Conditions
65%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.