As a Head Chef, you will manage and oversee the operations of your professional or commercial kitchen. You will be the most culinarily skilled chef in the kitchen, providing your expertise and support to your team. Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn what your day-to-day as a Head Chef will look like, how to apply for Head Chef jobs near you, and what you need to put on a Head Chef CV to land your next opportunity.
What is a Head Chef?
A Head Chef, also known as a Chef de Cuisine, is the culinary expert and leader within any professional or commercial kitchen. As the Head Chef, it will be your role to manage costs, quality control, ensure culinary excellence across your team, and create recipes for the menu. You will also be able to delegate work and ensure presentation, taste, and other performance factors are met for your restaurant.
As the Head Chef, you will need a high level of culinary experience and expertise. This is important for recipe development, internal training, ingredient sourcing, food preparation, inspections, and health and safety. You’ll also be required to provide leadership and management to the rest of the kitchen staff. Your Sous Chef will be second-in-command to support you. As part of your leadership, you will need to oversee kitchen staff, manage the budget, and ensure quality control throughout service.
As a Head Chef, you will be expected to work long hours, including physically demanding shifts. Alongside supporting food service, you will also have administrative and managerial tasks which can be time consuming and rely on strong delegation with your Sous Chef.
How to Become a Head Chef?
To become a Head Chef, you will need a high level of culinary skill. You can achieve this through work experience within professional and commercial kitchens, as well as culinary education, training with other head Chefs, and self-development. Most Head Chefs start their career as Commis Chefs or other entry-level positions, so by the time you’re a Sous Chef, you should have the majority of skills needed to step in as Head Chef.
What to Put on a Head Chef CV
When applying for these roles, you will need specific Head Chef CV to help highlight your unique skills and experience for the role. This should include your experience as a Sous Chef, your specialities, as well as leadership and managerial skills. As this role is a mix of leadership and culinary skills, it is essential to be able to demonstrate both on your CV.
Similar Jobs to Head Chef
Some similar jobs to Head Chef can include Sous Chef and Station Chef, which offer the same culinary demands but at varying degrees, or other more specialised Chef positions. Jobs such as Executive Chef and Culinary Director are also similar roles to Head Chef as they require a strong culinary knowledge, practical experience, and management skills.
Other Jobs in Hospitality and Catering
Whether you’re looking to transition career or explore expanding your skillsets, there are other jobs in hospitality and catering that might appeal to you. Some other jobs in this industry include Kitchen Manager, Director of Dining Services, Culinary Director, Executive Chef, or Restaurant Manager. Each of these roles require a high-level understanding of how professional or commercial kitchens work, as well as culinary skills in varying degrees, people management, and cost management. These roles offer a variety of career opportunities for someone with an extensive knowledge of professional kitchens and looking to grow into a management or leadership role outside of Head Chef positions.
Apply for Head Chef Jobs Near You
Excel your career by finding Head Chef jobs near you. The hospitality and catering sector provide work opportunities across the UK, making finding a position that suits you, in your local area, easier then ever. Whether you’re changing locations or levelling up your career, there are plenty of Head Chef jobs available around the UK.
Head Chef Job Description FAQ
Is a Head Chef a Good Career Choice?
Yes, a Head Chef is a good career for anyone with exceptional culinary skills who wants to get into a leadership role. If you’ve worked your way up through the kitchen, then a Head Chef career can be a rewarding job role that allows you the flexibility and creativity to explore.
What Skills Does a Head Chef Need?
As a Head Chef, you will need some culinary education and work experience. However, some additional skills you’ll also need include:
- Leadership and managerial skills
- Communication
- Creativity when developing recipes
- Cost management
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Head Chef?
The biggest challenges you will face as a Head Chef include managing a high-pressure environment alongside customer demands while ensuring the smooth running of the kitchen. Not only will you need to manage costs, but also quality control, training, and team support. This can be a rewarding role for people who thrive in this environment.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Head Chef?
Outside of the typical culinary requirements, some personal qualities that can help you succeed as a Head Chef include:
- Creativity
- Experimental
- A good team leader
- Logical thinker and problem solver
