Head Chef

Job Duties

• Plan and direct food preparation and cooking activities of several restaurants in an establishment, restaurant chains, hospitals or other establishments with food services.
• Consult with clients regarding weddings, banquets and specialty functions.
• Plan menus and ensure food meets quality standards.
• Estimate food requirements and may estimate food and labour costs.
• Supervise activities of sous‑chefs, specialist chefs, chefs and cooks.
• Arrange for equipment purchases and repairs.
• Recruit and hire staff.
• May prepare and cook food on a regular basis, or for special guests or functions.

• Supervisor activities of specialist chefs, chefs, cooks and other kitchen workers.
• Demonstrate new cooking techniques and new equipment to cooking staff.
• Prepare and cook complete meals or specialty foods, such as pastries, sauces, soups, salads, vegetables and meat, poultry and fish dishes.
• Create decorative food displays for special events such as banquets.
• Instruct cooks in preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food.
• Create new recipes.
• May plan menus and requisition food and kitchen supplies.
• May prepare and cook meals or specialty foods.
• May requisition food and kitchen supplies.
• Supervise cooks and other kitchen staff.

• Cook's trade certification or equivalent credentials, training and experience are required.
• The certifications of Certified Working Chef (CWC) and Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC), administered by the Canadian Culinary Institute (CCI) of the Canadian Culinary Federation (CCF), are available to qualified chefs.
• Red Seal endorsement for cooks is also available to qualified chefs upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• Executive chefs usually require management training and several years of experience in commercial food preparation, including two years in a supervisory capacity and experience as a sous‑chef, specialist chef or chef.
• Sous‑chefs, specialist chefs and chefs usually require several years of experience in commercial food preparation.
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.