An executive chef creates the recipes and menu for restaurants and corporate kitchens. They are knowledgeable of flavors, textures, and cooking methods, and have a wide range of culinary and expertise that allows them to create different menu items and develop restaurant standard operating procedures.

Executive chefs must also understand business operations as they are often responsible for purchasing ingredients and maintaining inventory.

Executive chefs have many duties and responsibilities as one of the highest-ranking restaurant industry positions. These include:

• Planning menus and overseeing the preparation and execution of processes in the back of house
• Quality control for menu items
• Estimating food and labor costs
• Supervising kitchen staff
• Training new kitchen staff
• Managing equipment purchases and repairs
• Recruiting and hiring kitchen staff
• Overseeing plating on the line
• Administrative duties, such as purchasing
• Understanding and complying with food safety regulations
• Developing strong professional relationships with restaurant staff
• Work with the front of house to ensure they understand elements of the food
• Communicating new menu items to the broader staff
• Taking part in pre-shift education

Good executive chefs are patient, have excellent communication skills, and are creative masters in the kitchen. They have the skills and experience to manage a kitchen and resolve any problems that arise. They also have the business savvy required to keep a restaurant s slim profit margins in the green.

Executive chefs are good leaders. They are responsible for delegating tasks to the kitchen staff, requiring time management and interpersonal skills. Their years of experience and skills make them knowledgeable about best practices for cooking and maintaining a clean, organized kitchen.

Trends and best practices in the restaurant industry are constantly evolving, and strong executive chefs will keep up with cutting-edge technologies and cooking methods. They are creative, developing new recipes from seasonal ingredients. The ability to execute under pressure, a passion for food and cooking, and an in-depth knowledge of flavors, textures, and cooking methods are all qualities of an excellent executive chef.

About the Company:
Poached