Occupation: CHEF

CHEF

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HELPFUL TIP:

There’s probably a good reason why your character chose their career. Think about how certain talents and skills, a dominant positive or negative trait, or even an emotional wound might have influenced this decision. And once they're on the job, don't forget about the many work-related conflict scenarios you can throw at them to create tension and add complications.

There are many different types of chefs, but in general a chef is responsible for food preparation; they may plan the menu, oversee and direct others in its preparation, select ingredients, order supplies, and manage the kitchen staff.
Chef-Owners are responsible for the restaurant's success, and so oversee the kitchen (and restaurant) from a business standpoint. They may hire, fire, set prices, and have the final say over the menu. An Executive Chef oversees the daily operation of the kitchen which includes food preparations, ordering, and menu planning. A Sous Chef oversees the kitchen in the Executive's Chef's absence, is responsible for training new chefs, and ensures the food leaving the kitchen is of the highest quality and presentation. A Senior Chef is part of the team and is typically assigned to a station within the kitchen where they are responsible for a specific dish or aspect of food preparation (such as plating). Chefs are different than cooks (cooks do not have as much training and generally fill the entry-level positions in a restaurant or work as part of a small staff in smaller establishments)

Most chefs require an associate's degree in culinary arts and certifications in specific areas. Their courses will include things like nutrition, butchery, grilling, pastry creation, kitchen safety & basic first aid, garnishing and plating, hospitality training, menu planning, and possibly business courses that look at kitchen operations and management. Training is both classroom-based and hands on. Candidates will often take entry level positions and apply for apprenticeships (2-3 years) to gain the work experience needed to apply for chef positions.

Chefs often also have specialized training in a certain area (Pastry Chefs, Grill Chefs, Pantry Chef, Sauce Chef, etc.)

CHEF

HELPFUL TIP:

OVERVIEW:

NECESSARY TRAINING:

USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES:

HELPFUL POSITIVE TRAITS:

HELPFUL NEGATIVE TRAITS:

EMOTIONAL WOUNDS THAT MAY HAVE FACTORED INTO THIS OCCUPATION CHOICE:

SOURCES OF FRICTION:

PEOPLE THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH:

HOW THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT IMPACT ONE'S BASIC NEEDS:

COMMON WORK-RELATED SETTINGS:

REASONS THE CHARACTER MAY HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO THIS PROFESSION: