Assistant Chef Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an assistant chef. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an assistant chef.
Who is an Assistant Chef?
An assistant chef is the second in command in a kitchen after the head chef. This person plays an important role in the restaurant in which he or she works and makes sure that everything runs smoothly, whether the head chef is present or not. The tasks can be very different depending on the restaurant and the chain of command.
To become an assistant chef, you have to undergo professional training. Some people choose to go to a cooking school, while others prefer to learn by working their way up the restaurant food chain. Some restaurants prefer employees who have come up through the ranks, as they are more comfortable with all the tasks involved in a busy kitchen.
For some people, being an assistant chef is the pinnacle of their profession. It is a demanding job, but extremely rewarding when a kitchen runs smoothly and efficiently.
The assistant chef stands in the kitchen every day, overseeing a multitude of activities and ensuring that the restaurant’s dishes are of the highest quality. For these people, the celebrity factor of becoming a head chef is not of interest to them. For others, this position is the last step before becoming a head chef; they enjoy the social status of a head chef because of the opportunity to create their menu and be in charge of the kitchen.
While it is true that assistant chefs cook, their job is much more than just preparing food. They supervise food preparation and safety in the kitchen, keep an eye on the staff and make sure that the food meets the expectations of the head chef. In some kitchens, this person may be invited to present recipes or dishes to the head chef.
These catering professionals are also involved in the day-to-day running of the restaurant. They may be responsible for staffing disputes, payroll, inventory management, and other tasks assigned by the head chef. Depending on the establishment, they may hire and fire staff and make other independent decisions regarding the management of the restaurant.
Assistant Chef Job Description
Below are the assistant chef job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an assistant chef include the following:
- Assisting the chef in the daily preparation of dishes and pastries.
- Ensuring that health and hygiene standards are met
- Supporting the kitchen team in the preparation of dishes according to recipes
- Assisting in the training of new kitchen staff;
- Restocking merchandise in the sales area
- Keeping an accurate catalog of the kitchen inventory.
- Working with managers, team leaders, chefs de cuisine, and cashiers to ensure that food is properly stored, prepared, and served following Department of Health standards.
- Assisting the kitchen team in preparing dishes according to the recipe,
- Ensuring that the working environment is clean and free from food-borne diseases and pests.
- Ensuring that all areas where food is prepared are disinfected following established hygiene standards.
- Assisting in the cleaning and organization of the kitchen;
Other responsibilities and tasks include
- Inventory Management
One of the basic tasks an assistant chef performs in running a kitchen is inventory management. Inventory management deals with the control of resources that a kitchen uses in its operation. This involves taking stock of the inventories, like raw ingredients, and replenishing it according to the instructions of the head chef. In addition, many of the products used in a kitchen are perishable, so an assistant chef must regularly dispose of spoiled goods.
Some companies take inventory management very seriously, as it is a major factor in the company’s profit margin. A kitchen assistant can even use a spreadsheet to keep track of stocks and calculate what quantities need to be replenished. The price of many types of food can change with the seasons and good stock management can take these changes into account.
- Kitchen Maintenance
Kitchen maintenance is essential for the smooth running of a restaurant. An efficient kitchen meets high standards of cleanliness so that staff can prepare the best quality food for guests on time. The assistant chef often monitors the behavior of other team members and relevant areas in the kitchen and makes adjustments and recommendations to maintain kitchen hygiene standards. While good hygiene practices should be followed before and after work, surfaces and utensils should be cleaned during working hours. To this end, the kitchen assistant can also schedule comprehensive cleaning of various equipment to avoid the large accumulation of dirt or grime.
Also, there is a possibility for kitchen equipment can wear out and new equipment will be needed to replace the old ones. As with inventory management, the assistant chef’s job is often to consider the benefits of maintenance or replacement. They can then decide how the team can make the best use of their time and get the most out of the equipment.
- Food preparation
An assistant chef helps with food preparation, which is one of the most important tasks in a kitchen. An assistant chef usually has more cooking experience than a novice team member. This means that they can perform more complex food preparation tasks or can perform their duties more efficiently than those with less training and experience. The kitchen assistant, even if he/she has less authority, has enough experience to manage the kitchen and prepare the food when the head chef is not present.
Food preparation is often the most time-consuming and resource-intensive activity in a restaurant. An assistant chef who provides significant assistance in food preparation can be a valuable member of the team. Although a kitchen has several tasks that are necessary for its operation, in terms of time consumption, food preparation accounts for the majority of these tasks.
Generally speaking, there is a big difference between the amount of time it takes trained professionals to prepare certain dishes and the amount of time it takes inexperienced staff to do the same.
- Leadership
Because chefs often have formal cooking training and kitchen experience, they can often help guide younger staff. Many assistant chefs have both formal and informal authority in the kitchen. For example, they keep everyone up to date on current standards and best practices and motivate the team to perform at their best. They also observe other members’ techniques and advise on what needs to be improved or suggest tips and tricks to make the work easier.
- Planning menus
The assistant chef will often give their opinion on what the restaurant should include on its menu. Their cooking training and experience can give them valuable insight into the pros and cons of different options for guests. They may also have specific knowledge of certain cuisines that can make a menu more unique. Although the final decision is likely to be made by the head chef, the chef’s assistant will often be consulted when the menu is being prepared. Menu planning involves being creative, considering the restaurant’s budget, and communicating with suppliers to source the necessary ingredients.
Qualifications
There are no specific work requirements for assistant chefs. However, employers prefer people who have worked as a chef or have experience in kitchen-related professions. If you have worked in a restaurant, soup kitchen, catering company, or hotel, you would be well suited to this role. You can also gain valuable experience through volunteering. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of food industry protocols and procedures and health and safety regulations.
Essential Skills
- Attention to detail
Attention to detail is a skill that will help you do your job well. As an assistant chef, you will be expected to follow recipes and ensure that all ingredients are available for food preparation. You will also contribute to food safety by maintaining hygienic conditions in the kitchen and ensuring that food is prepared according to hygiene regulations.
- Organizational Skills
Organizational skills help assistant chefs keep track of the tasks they have to perform during the day or week. Since this job requires attention to detail, being organized helps them keep track of their tasks and responsibilities. Assistant chefs are also responsible for keeping order when preparing meals for kitchen staff and customers. Organizing food by type and date helps to ensure that everything needed to prepare a meal is in order.
- Preparation of ingredients
Assistant chefs often work on cooking techniques, such as mixing and preparation of ingredients. They may use a variety of kitchen tools, such as knives and slicers. They may also need to read recipes to understand how to prepare various ingredients.
- Customer service
Assistant chefs often deal with customers and other restaurant staff. As a result of this, they need to have good customer service skills. They need to be friendly, accommodating, and able to communicate clearly with others. Customer service skills also help to provide excellent customer service when dealing with complaints and solving problems whenever the need arises.
- Creativity
Assistant chefs often work with chefs who have their recipes and cooking styles. Because the food and ingredients need to be tailored to the chef’s tastes, assistant chefs can use their creativity to accommodate these different approaches. This skill also allows them to develop new ideas to improve existing dishes or create new ones.
- Teamwork
Assistant chefs often work in teams with other kitchen staff, such as cooks and dishwashers. Good teamwork skills help them to get on well with others in the restaurant. They may also have to delegate tasks to their team members and guide them in preparing complex dishes. Assistant chefs who have good teamwork skills are more productive and efficient in the kitchen.
- Cooking skills
Cooking skills are skills that are mastered when preparing food. Assistant chefs often work alongside a head chef, who is responsible for preparing recipes and supervising the kitchen. Cooking skills include reading recipes, preparing ingredients, and cooking a variety of dishes.
- Passion for cooking
Having a passion for cooking is an essential skill that every assistant chef must possess, as it keeps them motivated and committed to their work. Having a passion for cooking can help assistant chefs develop their skills, learn new techniques and improve their work. It also makes kitchen work more enjoyable, which increases productivity and efficiency as an assistant chef.
- Kitchen Safety
Kitchen safety is an important skill for assistant chefs who often work in kitchens with dangerous equipment such as sharp knives and hot cookers. Assistant cooks should also be able to instruct kitchen staff in the safe use of kitchen equipment.
- Cost management
Cost management deals with the regulation of food costs to ensure the profitability of a restaurant or catering service. Assistant chefs often use their cost management skills to create menus, purchase ingredients and prepare meals. They also monitor stock availability and order new equipment when needed.
- Sanitation
As an assistant chef, you must be familiar with proper hygiene methods to ensure food safety and avoid contamination in the kitchen. You should also instruct the other kitchen staff concerning the proper maintenance of sanitary equipment.
How to Become an Assistant Chef
- Complete a culinary degree or apprenticeship.
Culinary degree programs and apprenticeships offer formal courses and opportunities to aspiring assistant chefs to learn culinary skills such as pastry making, menu planning, food preparation, food purchasing, and kitchen management.
- Gain experience
Culinary arts graduates or apprentices work as assistant chefs in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, hospitals, catering companies, and other food preparation businesses. Gaining experience leads to voluntary qualifications and promotion to the position of chef.
- Gain qualifications for career advancement
To become a Certified Cook, you must complete at least two years of training or diploma studies or gain two years of experience as an entry-level cook. A high school diploma and proof of completion of a 30-hour course in food safety and hygiene, nutrition, and supervision are required. You must also pass a practical and written examination.
Where to Work as an Assistant Chef
Assistant chefs typically work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and other food service establishments. They may also work in private households. Some assistant chefs also work in institutional settings, such as hospitals, schools, and prisons.
Assistant Chef Salary Scale
Salaries for assistant chefs in the United States range from $10,101 to $192,666 with an average salary of $34,827.