Make the kitchen your playground as a Sous Chef
Do you love cooking? Then why not launch your career as a sous chef? With the right training and experience, you’ll be eligible for this role. Working in restaurants requires the ability to complete tasks under pressure as well as outstanding leadership qualities. Once you’ve proven your capabilities as a sous chef, you can apply for executive chef positions. If you’re looking for employment in the hospitality industry, you can find a range of chef jobs on Job Mail.
Photo credit – Toa Heftiba
Sous Chef Overview
A sous chef works under an executive chef and they’re also next in charge. Their position means that they have a high level of responsibility and an excellent performance as a sous chef makes you eligible for a promotion to an executive chef position. These chef jobs can be found in restaurants and hotels. Suitable positions are also available on cruise ships.
Sous Chef Responsibilities
A sous chef is responsible for ensuring that meals have an attractive presentation when they are served to customers. They ensure that kitchen staff perform their jobs efficiently and they help to train new staff members. Employees in this role are tasked with creating work schedules and they also ensure that top quality meals are prepared in the kitchen. A sous chef is responsible for keeping the equipment in an excellent working condition. They need to understand how to operate the kitchen equipment and how to resolve minor issues with any of the appliances. They’re required to discipline kitchen employees if they violate the rules of the restaurant or hotel. Likewise, they serve as a role model to the employees in the kitchen and they need to develop strategies to keep the kitchen staff motivated. An important part of this position involves resolving problems and upholding high standards of safety. They need to ensure that the kitchen is clean and hygienic. A sous chef is also involved in menu tasting and stock taking.
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Qualifications and Salary
These chef jobs require training as well as relevant work experience. Many sous chefs start out in an entry-level position as a dishwasher or a cook. They gain experience working in the kitchen and work their way up to a senior-level role. A hospitality diploma can help you to get hired as well as advance your career faster. Another option is to apply for a junior sous chef position. This role is typically available in large hospitality establishments which have a big kitchen. When there are staff members who need additional guidance, it may be beneficial for the establishment to hire a junior sous chef. In South Africa, sous chef jobs offer a salary of R123 171 per annum on average. Sous chefs can work their way up to executive chef and head chef positions.
Requirements for chef jobs
In order to succeed as a sous chef, you’ll need to be creative. It’s advantageous to have an understanding of different ingredients and how to cook with them creatively. Leadership qualities are vital to succeed in this role as well as to secure a promotion to an executive chef position. A sous chef position involves the ability to communicate well with other employees. Leaders also require superior interpersonal skills to succeed. Hand-eye coordination is required to cut and prepare food. This is essential for your own safety when you’re working with sharp knives. To cope with the fast-paced kitchen environment, you’ll need excellent time-management capabilities. The ability to cope under pressure and to resolve problems efficiently is vital.
Photo credit: Michael Browning on Unsplash
Now that you know more about working as a sous chef, you can apply for suitable positions on Job Mail. With a range of restaurants and hotels requiring the services of these professionals, there are a variety of chef jobs to choose from.
