Occupation Details
Chefs and Head Cooks
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$43,630.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$63,730.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$82,110.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
12,630
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
25,050
+1,242 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,653
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
1.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Food Production
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Apple corers
- Blast chillers
- Blenders
- Boning knives
- Box graters
- Braziers
- Bread slicers
- Broilers
- Cake decorating tools
- Cappuccino makers
- Carbonated beverage dispensers
- Chefs' knives
- Commercial coffee grinders
- Commercial coffeemakers
- Commercial dishwashers
- Commercial microwave ovens
- Convection ovens
- Conveyer ovens
- Cream whippers
- Desktop computers
- Double boilers
- Dry or liquid measuring cups
- Electric deep-fat fryers
- Electric stoves
- Fire suppression blankets
- Food dicers
- Food processors
- Food shredders
- Food smokers
- Fruit zesters
Technology
- ADP eTIME
- Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
- Culinary Software Services ChefTec
- Delphi Technology
- EGS CALCMENU
- Email software
- Enggist & Grandjean EGS F&B Control
- GNOME Gnutrition
- Google Sheets
- GroupMe
- IPro Restaurant Inventory, Recipe & Menu Software
- Internet browser software
- Menu planning software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- operate baking equipment
- operate cooking equipment
- operate food decorating equipment
- operate food preparation equipment
- use specialized bakery equipment
- maintain production or work records
- cook in quantity
- estimate materials or labor requirements
- price items on menu
- investigate customer complaints
- measure or weigh ingredients for food preparation
- use knowledge of food handling rules
- use oral or written communication techniques
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- cook meals
- use knives
- perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking
- knead, shape, cut, or roll food products by hand
- bake breads, rolls, or other baked goods
- resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
- test food to determine that it is cooked
- requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
- distinguish colors
- identify cut or grade of meat
- recognize customer intoxication
- understand government health, hotel or food service regulations
- monitor worker performance
- follow recipes
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- direct and coordinate food or beverage preparation
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- decorate cakes
- schedule restaurant reservations
- schedule employee work hours
- conduct training for personnel
- determine food or beverage costs
- modify work procedures or processes to meet deadlines
- plan menus
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
- Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
- Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
- Recruit and hire staff, such as cooks and other kitchen workers.
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
- Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.
- Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
- Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
- Record production or operational data on specified forms.
- Plan, direct, or supervise food preparation or cooking activities of multiple kitchens or restaurants in an establishment such as a restaurant chain, hospital, or hotel.
- Arrange for equipment purchases or repairs.
- 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.
- Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff.
- Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or banquets.
- Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices or order supplies.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreFood processing occupations
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More