What does a head chef do?
A head chef is generally the leader in a professional kitchen and manages other kitchen staff. Head chefs are trained cooking professionals with extensive experience in kitchen operations. Not only do head chefs create and plan recipes and whole menus for their employer , but they also oversee the food preparation process and delegate tasks as necessary.
What’s more, a head chef inspects and approves all dishes before they leave the kitchen in order to ensure high-quality results and customer satisfaction. In addition, head chefs may order ingredients and engage directly with suppliers to ensure ingredient purchases are within budget. Hiring kitchen staff, managing the kitchen inventory and liaising with the establishment owner are also part of the head chef role.
Head chef skills and qualifications
To perform their role well, a successful head chef should have the following skills and aptitudes:
- Strong leadership skills
- A keen eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills
- Creativity to design and plan dishes and menus
- Advanced culinary knowledge and extensive cooking experience
- Physical stamina and dexterity
- An excellent sense of taste and a refined palate
Head chef experience requirements
A head chef is employed to manage the kitchen, so it is essential that they have years of experience in both cooking and in a leadership role before being hired as a head chef. Typically, at least five years of relevant experience in a professional kitchen is required for the role. Most head chefs start as kitchenhands before working their way up the kitchen ladder as cook, commis chef, chef de partie, sous chef and finally head chef. Importantly, a head chef needs to have experience in all areas of the kitchen, from appetisers right through to desserts.
Head chef education and training requirements
Working as a head chef in Australia requires cooks to have completed at least Year 10 schooling plus a three-year apprenticeship as well as a relevant vocational qualification such as the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery offered by TAFE.
As every licensed food business in Australia is required to have a nominated food safety supervisor, it is also advisable for budding head chefs to complete a certified Food Safety Supervisor course.
Head chef salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a head chef is $85,495 per year. Notably, head chefs in the capital cities of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and in the ACT are reporting salaries that are $5,000 to $10,000 above the national average.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are several roles that are similar to that of a head chef. Read the descriptions to decide if you need to hire one of these food experts in addition to or instead of a head chef:
Head chef job description FAQs
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions employers have asked about the head chef role:
What characterises a great head chef?
A great head chef will not only be passionate about food and have a refined palate, but they will also have stamina and be able to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Excellent communication and leadership skills are also a plus, as a head chef will need to manage and be in constant dialogue with kitchenhands, servers, managers and more junior chefs.
What is the difference between a head chef and an executive chef?
The titles head chef and executive chef usually refer to the same role. Some restaurants may call the head of the kitchen head chef, while others prefer the term executive chef. However, some larger establishments may choose to employ both a head chef and an executive chef. In this case, the head chef is typically responsible for managing the kitchen, whereas the executive chef is tasked with making the commercial decisions surrounding the kitchen operations.
What is the work environment like for head chefs?
The work environment for a head chef is usually very fast paced and challenging. In popular restaurants and culinary establishments, it’s important that the head chef ensures that the kitchen runs smoothly. Head chefs may work long shifts and spend long periods of time on their feet. What’s more, kitchens are typically hot and can be very busy, so a head chef needs to be comfortable working in these conditions and lead their team with confidence.
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