Cooks are inevitably the nerves of hotels and restaurant, because the quality of the food can make a huge difference in the success of the food chain. Cooking has evolved as an art, a therapeutic choice, and with the designation of a chef being one of the most sought-after careers in the culinary field, it is not surprising that various career opportunities in cooking have popped in the restaurant businesses. Pick up any newspaper or surf online, skilled chefs are in high demand in the food service industry. Various hotels have started recruiting candidates on the basis of cooking tests and interviews. However, you need to know that cooking for a crowd is not a simple task, especially when you are working in a commercial restaurant kitchen unlike the privacy and comfort of your home. The paragraphs below focus on the duties of a professional culinary chef. Job Description Cooks who work in commercial kitchens are graduates of culinary art schools, and they have good educational qualifications. Their job duties include: Ensure Safety and Sanitation

• Being a cook is a responsible position, as he/she has to maintain health standards and has to ensure that safety conditions in the kitchen area is perfect.
• The utensils and vegetables have to be properly washed so that food-borne diseases are avoided.
• Proper cooking methods are also important for ensuring that proteins and vitamins are not lost due to over cooking.

Effective Food Management

• In professional kitchens, time management plays an effective role in order to serve meal orders quickly.
• Cooks have to ensure that resources utilized in the kitchen are not wasted and ingredients are used in effective manner.
• Preserving foods and ingredients with safety and managing space for keeping every food item is also an important part of the job.

Expertise in Kitchen Management

• Cooks have to organize staff schedule, manage various orders simultaneously, multitask, plan the menu, and ensure that cooking activities are carried out effectively.
• They are also responsible for promoting positive work environment and coordinate staff activities.
• During peak hours of service, handling customer orders can be hectic; however, cooks have to make it a habit to handle pressure.

Deftness in Cooking

• For cooks, the ability to cook various types of cuisines and foods is a must have requirement, as this is what forms their identity.
• They must have the ability to memorize recipes and experiment with various types of cooking styles.
• Being well aware of various kitchen appliances and their usage is a trait that comes through consistent practice.

Average Salary

• The earning potential of a cook depends on work experience, type of employer, job designation, and work location. Combining all these factors, the average cook salary is determined.
• In the initial years, cooks can earn anywhere between USD 20,000 to USD 35,000.
• With increase in work experience, the salaries can go as high as USD 60,000.
• The highest salaries and benefits are enjoyed by chefs and cooks in fancy restaurants located in posh areas.
• The job of a cook varies slightly with the workplace. If he works in a fast food restaurant, his work may extend to some other duties; while if he is working in some hotel, it may be restricted to just being involved in every aspect of cooking.

Cooking is in itself a mix of art and science. While you must have an inner urge and uncanny knack to cook delicious dishes, you have to be aware of the technicalities of proper cooking styles. If you have developed a keen interest in this field, then you should move ahead to take further educational qualifications from reputed culinary art schools. Teenagers can work part-time in restaurants and hotels and check if their aptitude matches with their interest. Being a cook is a rewarding career choice, as this industry has grown drastically in the recent years and hold promises for further growth in the coming years.