** The various titles of "chef" generally apply to more advanced roles in a professional kitchen Sous Chef. Graduates of a culinary arts training program should expect to pursue entry-level opportunities and should not expect to become chefs upon graduation but are encouraged to work toward becoming a chef through the course of their career. Le Cordon Bleu does not guarantee employment or salary.

The position of a sous chef is the second most important in a professional  kitchen after the executive chef. Though a sous chef's job is to answer and assist the executive chef, they also have authority over the other kitchen staff. Most of the cooking and culinary terms have been taken from the French language. The word ‘sous' is also a French word which means under. Basic job responsibilities of a sous chef include food preparation, food production, food supply control, cost control and supervising the kitchen staff. In addition, the sous chef job also requires them to assist the executive chef in the kitchen in menu planning, supplies, inventory, pricing, safety issues etc. It really needs a lot of patience, years of experience and skills to work your way up to the position of a sous chef. Besides being a profitable job position, the sous chef career also demands a lot. You should always be ready to work with utmost dedication, be eager to learn from senior shefs and deliver your 100% while looking to establish your career as sous chef in the field of culinary arts.

Sous Chef Job Description &Responsibilities
To establish their career successfully, the sous chef should have expertise in all the activities of a kitchen. The chef should be aware of the different styles of cooking and food preparation. Knowing alone is not enough. The sous chef should also be quite active and innovative to perform his job in a jiffy. Whether it is French cooking, Italian cooking or Fusion cooking, a sous chef job needs them to know all these cooking styles. Not only food preparation and cooking, but the sous chef is also responsible for doing a number of other administrative and managerial tasks while doing their job in restaurants, hotels or other establishments having professional kitchen.

An important part of the job of a sous chef is to guide and supervise the kitchen staff. The chef has the authority to provide supervision to the kitchen staff. While doing this, the chefs might need to resolve some personal conflicts that may arise between the kitch staff. So the sous chef, apart from having culinary skills, should also be a good supervisor, a team player and motivator.

Administrative and managerial job responsibilities require the sous chef to assist the executive chef. As an assistant to the executive chef, the sous chef helps them in activities like menu planning, food supply control, cost control, inventory, safety control and sanitation issues in the kitchen among others. Creativity plays an important role landing high paying jobs, sustaining the job as well making a successful career as a sous chef. The sous chef career success depends on how smartly and instantly they can make decisions in the kitchen, as they will be on their toes for long hours.

Education : How to Become a Sous Chef
Kitchen experience is a prerequisite to becoming a sous chef. Dis washing can also be a part of this kitchen experience. Whatever task you perform in the kitchen, no matter what it is, it brings you closer to the job position and career of sous chef. It may even take a couple of years before you actually become a sous chef in a professional kitchen. It is always a good idea to develop and maintain good relationship with a senior chef to gain the experience and learn the skills without any hassle.

Candidates who aspire to become a sous chef and establish a successful culinary career need to be equipped with a degree from a culinary arts school. Education has an important role to play in a cooking career. There are numerous culinary colleges and institutions across the nation offering degree programs and training in culinary arts. Before you apply at these schools, make sure they are accredited and also check out the job placement rate at the particular culinary school. The course duration for the culinary course can be as little as two years.

How Much Does A Sous Chef Earn?
Salary and earning of a sous chef depends on the type of establishment they join and the skills they have. The salary may also vary depending on the state in which you are applying for the job. On an average, a sous chef can earn a salary ranging between $25,000 and $50,000 annually. Earning opportunities will be bigger for those who bring with them years of kitchen working experience. During your growth period in a job, you will also come to know of your strength areas which you can later capitalize on and establish a great profitable culinary career.

Share this Article