What Chefs and Head Cooks Do

Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants or other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns.

Duties

Chefs and head cooks typically do the following:

• Check freshness of food and ingredients
• Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other food preparation workers
• Develop recipes and determine how to present the food
• Plan menus and ensure uniform serving sizes and quality of meals
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas for cleanliness and functionality
• Hire, train, and supervise cooks and other food preparation workers
• Order and maintain inventory of food and supplies needed to ensure efficient operations
• Monitor sanitation practices and ensure that kitchen safety standards are followed 

Chefs use a variety of kitchen and cooking equipment, including step-in coolers, high-quality knives, meat slicers, and grinders. They also have access to large quantities of meats, spices, and produce. Some chefs use scheduling and purchasing software to help them in their administrative duties.

Chefs might also be a restaurant’s owner. Some may be busy with kitchen and office work and not have time to interact with diners.

The following are types of chefs and head cooks:

Executive chefs, head cooks, and chefs de cuisine are primarily responsible for overseeing the operation of a kitchen. They coordinate the work of sous chefs and other cooks, who prepare most of the meals. Executive chefs also have many duties beyond the kitchen. They design the menu, review food and beverage purchases, and often train employees. Some executive chefs are primarily occupied by administrative tasks and spend little time in the kitchen.

Sous chefs are a kitchen’s second-in-command. They supervise the restaurant’s cooks, do some meal preparation tasks, and report results to the head chefs. In the absence of the head chef, sous chefs run the kitchen.

Personal chefs plan and prepare meals in private homes. They also may order groceries and supplies, serve meals, and wash dishes and utensils. Personal chefs are often self-employed or employed by a private cooking company, preparing food for a variety of customers.  

Private household chefs typically work full time for one client, such as a corporate executive, university president, or diplomat, who regularly entertains as part of his or her official duties.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition