Hotels, resorts and theme parks offers international cuisine in buffets and specialty food including French, Chinese, Afro-Asian, Italian, Japanese, and so much more. The Americans are now familiar with international cuisine and the cravings are insatiable. The growth of food service and hospitality showed huge increases for the last 5 years. If you have culinary inclinations and skills, then read on:
Restaurants, upscale, casual, or specialized, cook jobs are definitely in demand. Sous chefs, executive chefs, and cooks including food preparation are in charge of managing the food operation in every food service enterprise. Head cooks and executive chefs are responsible for overseeing and supervising other cooks in the restaurant kitchen. As the position suggests, they are the leaders in the kitchen and has the most skills. They also plan the menu, develop recipes, and impart cooking knowledge to their subordinates.
Food preparers and supervisors are responsible for supervising kitchen staff in food service facilities and in restaurant kitchen. Casual dining restaurants, fast food or in cafeterias, serving supervisors and food preparers are the leaders where they also oversee standard menus. And in restaurants, it is the chef that directs the operation, menu, and recipes. These kitchen leaders also train, hire, and supervise newbie cooks. They also serve as procurement officers, checking the inventory; supplies and ordering supplies, assign work schedules and ensures profitability and efficiency. Safety and sanitation is also an important part of day to day operation.
Head chefs, executive chef and specialty chefs coordinate workers in the chef including sous chefs, and cooks in preparing the meals. Executive chefs are usually in charge of the hotel kitchen, restaurants or corporate food preparation. In the absence of the executive chef, the sous chef is next in command. The quality, distinctive dishes can entail fame and enormous job offers from upscale restaurants. Cook jobs can also be found in hospitals, retirement homes, schools, and food manufacturers.
Cook jobs are also available in private homes of the rich and famous as personal chefs where they prepare, plan meals according to the dietary requirements and taste of the client. The personal chef may do the grocery, plan meal for the week, heat up food, and clean the kitchen. He or she may be a part of the kitchen staff if working for a big family. Some personal cooks or chefs may be hired from agencies or a personal recommendation. Some may work for the headmasters, university presidents, a diplomat, or a politician, local government officials, and sometimes, royalty.
Chefs and cooks should have experience in the restaurant kitchen environment or in private clients. Even in fast food restaurants, it is a good training ground if you plan for a step up in your career. Career colleges offer culinary classes and apprenticeship for greater advancement in addition to your experience. Some cooks turned restaurateurs and run their own business. Even in the military, cook jobs are available. 3 to 4 years training can be a good experience.
The outlook for head chefs and executive chefs may be a bit slow but they are keeping up with other related professions. Some started out as cooks or a sous chef and move up to the higher positions when the right time comes. Some cooks even started as kitchen staff until the time they are promoted.
Here is the latest survey in cook jobs average annual salary:
• Restaurants - $46,000 to $65,000
• Hotel food service - $45,000 to $60,000
• Special food service establishments - $43,000 to $55,000
• Casual restaurants - $42,000 to $53,000
• Fast food restaurants - $35,000 to 40,000
Self-assessment of personal skills, knowledge, and abilities is the first step in choosing a career. Once you have determined that, you have to explore your options to match your interests and personality. There are many ways to research for jobs and most of these services are free of charge. If you have the patience to research and plan the career possibilities that you want you will be able to acquire all the necessary requirements to fulfill your long term goals. After all the requirements needed for the job are fulfilled you will be able to write your resume and prepare for the interview.
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