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A chef job, whether in a restaurant or as a private chef, is an incredibly rewarding career for those who are passionate about food and cooking. The responsibilities of a chef will vary based on the type of business or household they work in, but the common thread is an enthusiasm about the culinary arts and bringing fantastic dishes to life.
Chefs can work in a range of settings including restaurants, hotels, cafes, resorts, chalets as well as for an individual and their family. They may specialise in a certain cuisine or take a holistic approach and can work on a permanent, temporary or seasonal basis.
Looking for a chef role? Check out Tiger’s live chef jobs, or refer to our full job listings below.
A chef job’s duties will depend on the kitchen in which you’re cooking! If working within a restaurant or other hospitality business, you will be required to design menus for various service times; identify and work with reliable suppliers; plan for the week ahead by ordering relevant stock; manage a team of commis and sous chefs; and of course, cook guests’ orders!
You will also oversee the kitchen’s health and safety procedures, work with the front of house team to run the pass and ensure the highest standards of cleanliness.
If you are working a private chef job, the responsibilities will vary slightly. Most private households don’t have a team of chefs, so you will often be the only person in the kitchen! However, you will still be responsible for sourcing ingredients from trusted suppliers, designing menus and creating dishes for the individual or family. You may also be responsible for catering larger events, working within a team of wait staff to provide a range of different foods for the occasion.
A chef job is a high-pressure role so requires a resilient and dedicated approach. You will obviously need to have a passion for cooking, but beyond this, will need to be able to think creatively and hold a strong work ethic – after all, practice makes perfect!
You’ll need to hold a high level of self-motivation and be able to take a flexible approach to your role, thinking clearly under pressure. As you’ll generally be working with others, communication and teamwork skills are also essential.
Working in a kitchen, whether in a hospitality business or home, can also be demanding and require a certain level of dexterity, meaning you need to be physically capable of standing on your feet for long hours.
Temporary chef jobs are a fantastic option for those looking for a little more flexibility. These can range from one-night bookings for specific events, through to a contract chef role in a chalet or villa for a season.
A seasonal chef position offers an opportunity for entry-level chefs to build their skills, as it exposes them to a variety of working environments, styles and cuisines. As they are often very busy kitchens, these roles can be a baptism by fire, with plenty of learning and development opportunities.
In contrast, temporary chef jobs, such as one-night or event bookings, require a higher level of expertise, as you are required to take a brief and deliver in a short timeframe, sourcing ingredients, designing menus and preparing meals.
You can find out more about working as a temp for Tiger Private here
Should you want to take on a chef job, there are many avenues to explore. You can opt to study a formal qualification such as a degree or diploma in professional cookery, or move straight into a restaurant kitchen, starting out as a porter or commis chef.
At this point, you’ll learn the fundamentals of cooking, assist the chef de partie and prepare basic elements. If you move into a chef de partie or section chef role, you’ll build on these skills, overseeing the preparation and assembly of a certain dish or ingredient, like sauces or fish. From there, you can move into a sous chef and then head chef role.