What Does it Take to Be a Chef or Head Cook?
Chef Example 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.
A Day in the Life of a Chef
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
- Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes or menus, taking into account such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients or the likely number of customers.
- Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices or order supplies.
- Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff.
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
- Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or banquets.
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Things a Chef Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Chefs and Head Cooks say are important on the job.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Head Baker
- Head Pastry Chef
- Chef de Froid
- Head Cook
- Sushi Chef
Chef Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 146,500 jobs for Chef or Head Cook in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 14,100 new jobs for Chef or Head Cook by 2026. The BLS estimates 20,300 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Chef are Utah, Arizona, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Chef Average Salary
Chefs and Head Cooks make between $26,320 and $81,150 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks who work in New Jersey, Hawaii, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,360 |
| Alaska | $51,990 |
| Arizona | $43,240 |
| Arkansas | $45,780 |
| California | $51,400 |
| Colorado | $50,980 |
| Connecticut | $58,830 |
| Delaware | $59,330 |
| District of Columbia | $65,780 |
| Florida | $52,350 |
| Georgia | $52,890 |
| Hawaii | $74,510 |
| Idaho | $38,590 |
| Illinois | $51,800 |
| Indiana | $49,450 |
| Iowa | $42,280 |
| Kansas | $40,510 |
| Kentucky | $50,930 |
| Louisiana | $45,730 |
| Maine | $52,200 |
| Maryland | $53,040 |
| Massachusetts | $56,330 |
| Michigan | $52,230 |
| Minnesota | $51,990 |
| Mississippi | $48,330 |
| Missouri | $54,300 |
| Montana | $48,290 |
| Nebraska | $44,180 |
| Nevada | $56,290 |
| New Hampshire | $53,610 |
| New Jersey | $70,260 |
| New Mexico | $50,220 |
| New York | $56,020 |
| North Carolina | $50,690 |
| North Dakota | $46,320 |
| Ohio | $41,070 |
| Oklahoma | $44,410 |
| Oregon | $46,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,630 |
| South Carolina | $40,820 |
| South Dakota | $48,280 |
| Tennessee | $47,750 |
| Texas | $53,170 |
| Utah | $43,590 |
| Vermont | $45,590 |
| Virginia | $54,760 |
| Washington | $57,680 |
| West Virginia | $54,500 |
| Wisconsin | $47,210 |
| Wyoming | $54,590 |
What Tools & Technology do Chefs and Head Cooks Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Chefs and Head Cooks:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software
- Delphi Technology
- Internet browser software
- Culinary Software Services ChefTec
- Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
- SoftCafe MenuPro
- EGS CALCMENU
- Sage MAS 90 ERP
- ADP eTIME
- Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial
- CostGuard
- Menu planning software
- ReServe Interactive
- GNOME Gnutrition
- IPro Restaurant Inventory, Recipe & Menu Software
Becoming a Chef
Learn what Chef or Head Cook education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Chef?
Chefs and Head Cooks Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Chefs and Head Cooks employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Chef or Head Cook sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Army Europe Images via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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