Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Chef.

Job Title - Chef

Description

Chefs are trained to plan menus, prepare a variety of appealing and nutritious foods according to health and safety regulations, manage a commercial kitchen and do food costing.

Typical Job Activities

Inspects food preparation and serving areas to ensure observance of safe, sanitary food-handling practices
Turns or stirs foods to ensure even cooking
Seasons and cooks food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience
Observes and tests foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils
Weighs, measures, and mixes ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment
Portions, arranges, and garnishes food, and serve food to waiters or patrons
Regulates temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters
Substitutes for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods
Bakes, roasts, broils, and steams meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods
Coordinates and supervises the kitchen staff
Keeps records and accounts

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Related Occupations

Recipe Tester and Developer
Restaurant Publicist
Specialty Food Buyer
Caterer
Research Chef
Nutritionist
Food Stylist

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Educational Requirements

Senior National Certificate
Further Education and Training Colleges (FET) for programmes for specific trade or skills (each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements)

Compulsory subjects: English
Recommended subjects: Hospitality Studies, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Consumer Studies

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Have a flair for and interest in baking and preparing foodstuffs
Have creative and artistic talent
Have a keen sense of taste and smell
Have physical stamina to stand for hours at a time
Have a high regard for personal hygiene and cleanliness
Be able to use own initiative, with minimum supervision
Have organizational ability, but also be flexible
Be interested in learning and adapting to an ever changing market's expectations
Work well with others
Work well under pressure
Have a good memory and eye-hand coordination

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Employment Opportunities

High

Market Competitiveness

High

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Opportunities

Moderate

International Employment Market Opportunities

High

Possible Employers

Hotels
Restaurants
Guesthouses
Hospitals
Schools, universities and universities of technology
Contract caterers
Government departments
Self-employed: Consultant, own practice, freelance

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Working conditions

Generally indoor setting
Pressure and stress of rush hours
Long hours of standing and walking
Working evenings, holidays and weekends
Frequently exposed to heat/cold from the mechanical equipment
Noise levels can vary from moderate to loud

Career Progress and Path

Further Studies in the specific career field
Further studies in related fields
Further on-the-job training
Work performance
Experience in related fields
General management studies

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field
Management positions in the specific field
Management positions in related fields
General business management
Executive positions
Consultant/ own practice/ freelance
Own business
Researcher/lecturer with colleges or engineering organizations

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Relevant Contact Details

Hotel School
http://bit.ly/1SgY1Rs

Capsicum Culinary Studio
http://bit.ly/1XbfdOH

Employment Stability

High

Reasons to consider this career

A job in private companies
To start my own business
To become a manager
To work with my hands
To learn new things
To be of service to people
To work flexible hours
To work locally
To work internationally
To focus on a specific field
To apply my special skills