Chefs direct the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. They may also participate by cooking the food directly. Chefs may also be tasked with planning and pricing menu items, ordering supplies, and keeping records and accounts. Some successful chefs have gone on to own their own restaurants.

Employment Trends
Between 2006-2016, 23,000 new jobs are expected to be created.

Typical Work Activities

• Check the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
• Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
• Order or requisition food and other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.
• Determine how food should be presented, and create decorative food displays.

Work Styles

• Willingness to lead, take charge, offer opinions and direction.
• Establish and maintain personally challenging achievement goals. Master certain tasks.
• Being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Examples of Work Locations

• Restaurants
• Hotel banquet services

Stepping Stone Positions
There are many opportunities for lower-skilled, but related, jobs to develop your skills. These include being a fast-order cook, food preparer or cook at a chain restaurant, hotel banquet operator, and/or other locations such as school, hospital, or institutional cafeterias.

Education Resources

• In addition to on-the-job experience, chef positions may require training in vocational schools or an associate’s degree from a community college. Some may require a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• There are many ways to earn a GED or obtain post-secondary education without going into debt. Some Goodwills and public One-Stop Career Centers offer free training for growth jobs.
• Community colleges are another great resource for occupational skills training. Talk to the college financial aid office or visit the Federal Pell Grant Program to see if you are eligible.

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