Tips For Hiring A Restaurant Chef

Hiring a restaurant chef may well be the most significant decision you make when starting or operating your restaurant. The quality of the food, timeliness of presentation, profitable operation of the business and draw for diners who appreciate the food all depend directly or indirectly on the skills and abilities of the chef. Here are a few tips that should be considered when you are searching for the right person to carry the title of chef.

If your establishment already has a signature style, your new chef should be able to follow that general format in cooking. However, it is also true that a chef will always bring his own personality and style into the dishes that have made your establishment known and enjoyed in the community. For a new restaurant which has not yet cast a theme or cuisine, the outlook of a chef can help to form the personality of your restaurant.

Finding a chef may be done through various means. There are head hunter employment firms. Be sure that the one you use is knowledgeable about the specific needs of the restaurant industry. You could check with reputable chef schools for upcoming graduates, although these people may not have the level of experience. Some chefs are looking for a change of geography, so you could attract inquiries to your business.

Administrative duties are also part of overall responsibilities of chefs. If there are workers in the kitchen, they must be directed and supervised. The chef is usually responsible for maintaining the knowledge of health and sanitation standards expected of a first class establishment. Food handling and storage is a necessary part of duties of the chef. He or she must also be able to maintain a reliable inventory of the necessary food, spices and kitchen supplies. Working within a budget is also important.

When choosing the chef, you should give them an interview that includes preparing a selection of items from the menu. You may want to combine that with allowing the applicant to prepare something that they are skilled at. Ultimately, the chef must be able to work with you, with the existing staff and in the surroundings that will be commonplace while on the job.

Take the time to ensure that you know what you want when hiring a chef. If you want a person who is calm and laid back in the kitchen, your interview should reflect that. If you can handle a lot of drama, you may be less picky about a little emotion from your applicants. Be sure that you taste the type of dishes that the chef puts out