Salaries for chef jobs vary by location and position.
The daily operations of the kitchen in a restaurant, hotel or school are overseen by a chef. The responsibilities of a chef include developing a nutritious menu, working with suppliers, overseeing the staff and establishing the work ethics and safety of the kitchen. Other duties include developing new recipes, keeping up with the latest food trends and training new employees.The environment in which the chef works dictates the day-to-day duties.
Executive Chef
The executive chef manages the operations of the entire kitchen. The entire staff answers to the executive chef through a chain of command. The duties of the executive chef of a high-end restaurant include, but are not limited to, creating new food items for the menu, selecting the daily menu for the restaurant and hiring or firing the kitchen staff. The salaries for executive chef jobs vary by location. A small restaurant often pays the executive chef by the hour versus a monthly or yearly salary paid by a four-star restaurant. The annual salary of an executive chef ranges from less than $40,000 to over $68,000 depending upon duties and location.
Sous Chef
The sous chef works closely with the executive chef and is considered the second in command of the kitchen. Duties for the sous chef are numerous, including food preparation, overseeing the kitchen staff and recognizing and correcting problems which may occur. The sous chef salary is based upon work experience and the location of the restaurant. Low-end salaries for sous chef jobs start at $20,000, while the high end of the scale is in excess of $52,000.
Private Chef
The private chef works closely with his client on a day-to-day basis, preparing each meal according to the client's request. The private chef must understand dietary restrictions based upon food allergies or illnesses. The private chef has a more personal relationship with the client and may live in the same home or travel with the client. The salary is negotiated between the chef and the client before hiring. The average private chef salary is between $30,000 to $40,000 annually.
Personal Chef
The personal chef works as an independent business owner for private individuals and companies. The duties of a personal chef differ from a private chef in that she oversees the preparation of informal as well as large dinners. The personal chef adheres to health codes and safe food handling and storage methods. The personal chef may prepare an intimate dinner for two in one home and prepare the food for a fundraiser the next. The salaries for a personal chef job are usually priced per meal, with the fee ranging from $14 to $20 per plate.
Celebrity Chef
The most lucrative of all chef positions is that of the celebrity chef. Earnings come from special appearances, product endorsements and cookbook sales. Some celebrity chefs also create foods, such as salad dressings and sauces which are sold in local grocery stores. Many celebrity chefs also own their own restaurants or have syndicated contracts for television. The salaries for celebrity chefs can easily escalate into the millions.
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