head cook job description
Head Cook Job Description
A head chef, does more than just cooking. From deciding the menu, making a budget and preparing the dishes, there are a lot responsibilities that are part of a head cook's job description.
- The primary task of a head chef is to decide the menu and cook. He is responsible for coming up with the right combination of drinks, starters, main course and desserts.
- To prepare the whole menu or get the bare minimum ready, to prepare it when the order comes in, he must have an able staff and a sous-chef. Thus, a head cook must also play the role of a human resource manager and recruit the skilled chefs for his team.
- He must also know the sources of buying the vegetables, meat, alcohol, spices and other required raw materials at wholesale rates, so that the work flow remains within the budget.
- The biggest task of a head chef is that he needs to keep a quality check on food preparations and the surroundings. He must make sure that the food is being cooked as per the predetermined standards and the eating area is clean and hygienic. A slight falter can cost him, his job.
- The storage area, especially the cold storage has to be cleaned completely every twice a week to maintain prescribed sanitary norms.
- The hotel industry records maximum food wastage, which in big ways contributes to global food crisis. A head chef must plan his preparation in a way, that it minimizes food wastage. Expensive spices and condiments have to be used judiciously to work within decided budgets.
- The chef in charge, is also responsible for taking inventories of stock, supplies and makes a list of items that will be required in the coming week.
- He must have the ability to project price rise of certain perishable goods, so that they are ordered in advance.
- A chef's job description includes looking after the food preparations, maintaining equipment in the best conditions, record keeping, budgeting, evaluating new menus and products, making new preparations and complying with health guidelines.
- The whole functioning of the kitchen is under the control of the chief chef and he must ensure utmost safety of his teammates.