What does a Chef do?
A chef is a hospitality professional who plans, prepares, cooks, arranges and presents food that is served to customers in restaurants and various other hospitality venues. Most chefs specialise in a particular cuisine or method of food preparation, such as baking or pastry making. In addition to food preparation duties, chefs are also responsible for planning menus according to a set budget; purchasing food; managing the daily operations of the kitchen; maintaining a clean, hygienic and tidy kitchen; as well as hiring and training new chefs.
Chef skills and qualifications
To excel in the role, a chef needs a range of prerequisite skills and qualifications, including:
- ability to work as part of a team and coordinate tasks with others
- strong communication skills
- attention to detail
- good organisational and planning skills
- ability to work efficiently while under time pressure
- creativity and an imaginative approach to food presentation.
Chef experience requirements
The level of experience required for prospective Chefs depends on the seniority of the position and the employer’s preferences. For junior roles, such as commis chef, employers may be prepared to hire candidates who have recently completed their chef training but have no practical culinary experience. They would usually receive on-the-job training, working under the supervision of a more experienced chef. Candidates wishing to apply for more senior positions, such as head chef, generally need to have at least two years of experience in a similar role. This can include experience managing a kitchen, rostering staff, as well as planning and costing menus to minimise wastage.
Chef education and training requirements
While a qualification isn’t strictly required to work as a chef in Australia, it’s common for aspiring chefs to complete an apprenticeship and gain a vocational qualification. Most chefs have a Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery, which they usually complete as part of an apprenticeship in a commercial kitchen. Candidates aspiring to higher positions, such as executive chef, head chef or sous chef, commonly gain further qualifications, such as a diploma of hospitality management. Chefs should have at least a year 10 secondary education.
Chef salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a chef in Australia is $62,618 per year. This figure may vary depending on factors like the employee’s experience, location and employer.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this sample job description for a chef position isn’t exactly what you were looking for, you might be interested in looking at some job descriptions for similar roles:
Chef job description FAQs
What are the different types of chef?
The main types of chef are restaurant chefs and private or personal chefs. Both private and personal chefs prepare restaurant-quality meals in private homes. However, personal chefs often work for several clients and prepare multiple meals ahead of time, which are then refrigerated or frozen. In contrast, a private chef typically works for one client full time and spends the entire day at their place of residence. Within most restaurants, chefs are ranked according to a hierarchy called the brigade de cuisine system. Higher-level chefs, such as executive or head chefs, perform more managerial tasks, whereas less experienced commis chefs or chefs de partie have more hands-on food preparation duties.
What qualities make a good chef?
A good chef is passionate about food and creating exceptional culinary experiences for customers. They should have the creative skills needed to invent new dishes and design menus or adapt dishes when there are missing ingredients. They are flexible and happy to help out with any task to ensure the kitchen runs smoothly. Strong leadership skills are also important. As the person responsible for the kitchen, a good chef must be able to give their team direction and maintain a positive atmosphere in which the whole team can work well together.
What should you look for in a chef resume?
Ideally, a chef candidate should have a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Look for someone who has a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery as a minimum, but preferably a Certificate IV. You may also consider candidates who have a comparable qualification from a culinary school. An ideal candidate would have experience in a similar chef role. However, an aspiring chef with experience in another related hospitality position, such as a barista or waiter/waitress, could also be an excellent choice for an entry-level role.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
