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Chef & Head Cook

Also called: Chef, Executive Chef (Ex Chef), Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Food & hospitality
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Median pay
$62,470/yr
Typical range
$37,900 – $98,560
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Chef & Head Cook do?

  • Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
  • Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.

How to become a Chef & Head Cook

Training: An associate's degree or other 2-year degree or a certificate after high school. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvementsTalking to othersChanging what is done based on other people's actionsUnderstanding people's reactionsManaging your time and the time of other peopleSelecting and managing the best workers for a job

Is it a fit for you?

  • Leadership Orientation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Innovation

Tools and technology

Google SheetsMicrosoft ExcelGroupMeCulinary Software Services ChefTecReServe Interactive

Questions people ask

How much does a Chef & Head Cook make?

About $62,470 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $37,900 and $98,560. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Chef & Head Cook?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Chef & Head Cook?

No four-year degree is needed. An associate's degree or other 2-year degree or a certificate after high school.

Is Chef & Head Cook a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Cook$37,390 a yearBarista$31,200 a yearBartender$34,340 a yearDining Room & Cafeteria Attendant & Bartender Helper$33,980 a yearFast Food & Counter Worker$31,200 a yearFood Preparation Worker$35,320 a year

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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