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| Chef ProfilesWhat it means to be a Chef in Food Service
Nature of the Work
Cooks prepare and cook a wide variety of foods. They are employed in the same establishments that employ chefs as well as at construction and logging camp sites. Apprentice cooks are included in this unit group. Main Duties
Sous-chefs supervise activities of specialist chefs, chefs, cooks and other kitchen workers, and they demonstrate new cooking techniques and new equipment to cooking staff. They may plan menus, requisition food and kitchen supplies, and they may prepare and cook meals and specialty foods. Chefs and specialist chefs prepare and cook complete meals, banquets or specialty foods, such as pastries, sauces, soups, salads, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish dishes, and create decorative food displays. They instruct cooks in preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food, and they supervise cooks and other kitchen staff. They may plan menus as well as requisition food and kitchen supplies. Cooks prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods, and they prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by a dietitian or chef. They supervise kitchen helpers and oversee subordinate personnel in preparation, cooking and handling of food. They may also plan menus, determine size of food portions and estimate food requirements and costs, as well as monitor and order supplies. Example Titles· saucier Cooks: Working Conditions
Chefs and cooks need to be able to function in close quarters during busy periods, lift heavy objects and work near hot ovens and grills. While the kitchen staff of hotels and restaurants can expect evening and weekend shifts, cafeteria cooks in schools, factories and other institutions are more likely to have conventional work schedules. Seasonal work is often required for those working as a cook in a school or in a resort. Some cooks who have seasonal work with industries such as mining or road construction must be able to work under adverse weather and environmental conditions. In 1995 the average annual earnings for all workers in this occupational group were $15,600 ($22,900 for chefs), but the 38% who worked full time for the full year (54% of all chefs) received an average of $22,000 in earnings ($27,200 for chefs). The respective all-occupation averages were $27,900 and $39,400. The earnings for this occupational group are generally much lower than the all-occupation averages due to the large numbers that work part time and/or part year. A recent study found that those individuals who
graduated as chefs earned on average $1,680 per month for full-time work.
Entry-level cooks earned on average $1,420 per month for full-time work. Neither chefs nor cooks have high rates of
self-employment. The rate of self-employment for the whole group is 7%, compared
to the provincial average of 15%. About 28% of the group work part time, but
that arrangement is less likely for chefs (10%). Younger cooks and chefs have a
greater share of part-time work, while older cooks and chefs have a greater
share of full-time jobs that last all year round. The unemployment rate is about the same as the all-occupation average, and there is a higher proportion of this group that is employed for only part of the year. This reflects the seasonal nature of this occupation and the large number of cooks who lack the advanced skills needed for an increasingly competitive job market. The situation is somewhat better for chefs for whom the rate of unemployment is about the same as the all-occupation average. The proportion of chefs who work only part of the year is also about the same as the all-occupation average. About 82% of cooks and 86% of chefs work in the accommodation and food services industry. The remainder work in industries such as health and social services, hospitals, retail trade and a variety of other industries. The proportion of women among cooks (45%) is close to their representation in the all-occupation average, but they account for only 18% of chefs. Many fast-food outlets employ young people as cooks, which is reflected in the very high proportion of workers in this group aged 15 to 24 (27%). This is almost double the proportion that this age group accounts for in the all-occupation average. For chefs the largest age concentration is found in the 25 to 34 age group, reflecting the greater level of skill and experience and time needed to become a chef.
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