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Chefs & Cooks

chef working in a kitchen
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This guide will help you find the information you need to start working in British Columbia. You can use the menu buttons to move between sections of the guide.

Chef
NOC 2021: 62200 / NOC 2016: 6321

or

Cook
NOC 2021: 63200 / NOC 2016: 6322

Job Description

Chefs direct food preparation and cooking activities, as well as prepare meals and specialty foods. Chefs use their formal training to create original dishes. Chefs understand flavours and textures and how they go together. They are skilled in complex cooking techniques. Chefs can hold a variety of titles including executive chef, sous-chef, specialty chef.

Working as an Executive chef you will perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Manage the kitchen
  • Plan menus, organize food preparation and cooking activities and ensure food quality standards
  • Arrange kitchen equipment purchases and repairs, food ordering, hiring staff
  • Supervise activities of sous-chefs, specialist chefs, chefs and cooks
  • May prepare food on a regular basis for special guests and functions

Working as a Sous-chef you will perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Act as second-in-command and run the kitchen in the absence of the chef
  • Plan menus and order food and kitchen supplies
  • Prepare and cook meals or specialty foods.
  • Supervise specialist chefs, chefs, cooks and other kitchen staff
  • Demonstrate new cooking techniques and new equipment to cooking staff

Working as a Chef and specialist chef you will perform the following duties:

  • Prepare and cook complete meals or specialty foods
  • Instruct cooks in preparation, cooking, plating, garnishing and presentation of food
  • Create new recipes and decorative food displays for special events such as banquets and weddings
  • Supervise cooks and other kitchen staff
  • May plan menus and order food

Cooks prepare the food served in restaurants, cafeterias, and hospitals. A cook can put together a meal by following a recipe.

Working as a Cook you will perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare and cook complete meals or dishes as instructed by chef
  • Schedule and supervise kitchen staff
  • Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
  • Clean kitchen, work area and cooking equipment
  • May hire and train kitchen staff

Sources: WorkBC Career Profiles (search Chefs or Cooks), Career Cruising (profile for Cooks)